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Gatlin and Bolt ease through

August 22, 2015

On day one of the athletic world championships, Germany claimed its first gold, Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin showed no nerves in their heats and a new star was also born in the Marathon.

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Christina Schwanitz
Image: Reuters/K. Pfaffenbach

Shot-putter Christina Schwanitz claimed the first German goal of the world championships in Beijing on Saturday, throwing 20.37 meters. Schwanitz is the first German win to a shot-put world title since Astrid Kumbernuss in 1999.

A silver medal in the world championships in Moscow was all that Schwanitz took home two years ago, but with the dominant Valerie Adams out injured, nothing stood in the 29-year-old's way. Schwanitz is the current European championship title holder and becomes the first to replicate her glory at the world level.

Bolt and Gatlin ease through

Elsewhere, Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin edged a step closer to their long awaited showdown as both eased through the 100 metres heats on the opening day. American Gatlin emphasised his dominant sprint form this season as he posted the time of the day at the Bird's Nest Stadium, winning the sixth heat in 9.83 seconds. World record holder Bolt, whose season has been disrupted by injury problems, responded by winning the final heat in 9.96 seconds.

"It was okay," said the 29-year-old Olympic and world champion. "The execution was okay too. I still have some adjustments, just have to concentrate on my technique now."

19-year old Ghirmay Ghebreslassie became the youngest man to win the marathon at the world championships and the first ever world champion from Eritrea. Ghebreslassie two hours, 12 minutes and 27 seconds.

British pair of Jessica-Ennis-Hill and Katarina Johnson-Thompson dominated the first four events of the Women's Heptathlon, with the Olympic champion Ennis-Hill over 1000 points ahead of third placed Nadine Visser of the Netherlands. After a turbulent few months, Britain Mo Farah also enjoyed glory, securing gold in the 10,000 meters, finishing in 27 minutes and one second.

apc/jh (Reuters, AP, SID)