Usain Bolt second in semifinal heat, enters 100m final at World Athletics

Defending champion Usain Bolt finishes second in fastest semifinal heat to enter men’s 100 metres final at the World Athletics Championships.

Usain Bolt finished second to American Christian Coleman in the fastest semifinal heat at the World Athletics Championships on Saturday to enter the final to be run two hours later.

Jamaica's Usain Bolt qualified for the men’s 100 metres final at the World Athletics Championships being held in London. (AFP)

The Jamaican world and Olympic champion clocked 9.98 seconds to finish behind the American, who timed 9.97 seconds.

Among the others to qualify were Justin Gatlin of the United States, the 2004 Olympic champion, and Bolt’s compatriot Yohan Blake.

Coleman, who handed the retiring Bolt a rare defeat in the distance, and the Jamaican great were the only two to run sub-10 seconds.