(Video) “I’m just a young black man , living my dream”- Newly crowned world fastest man ,Chrtian Coleman

Despite running a personal best 9.76 seconds from a situation where he almost wasn’t given the chance to compete, the 100m Gold medalist at the IAAF World Championship and fastest man of the world, USA’s Christian Coleman said he would give himself an A-minus for his effort as he is still looking for that ‘perfect’ race.

“I think I would probably give my race an A-minus. A overall because if you get a PB you never take that for granted. Any time you improve you’re always grateful for that.And I was able to come out with a win so I guess I give myself an A for that. But it was A-minus because there are definitely some things I can improve. It certainly wasn’t a perfect race. I don’t feel like I’ve put that together yet. I feel there are some things I can work on” said Coleman.

Coleman had looked set to miss the championships after it emerged in August that he had missed three drugs tests in 12 months under the ‘whereabouts’ system and was potentially facing an automatic one-year ban. The case against the 23-year-old, who has vigorously protested his innocence of doping, was eventually dropped on a technicality over dates and he was allowed to compete.

The 23-year-old beat 37-year-old Justin Gatlin, the defending champion, who finished second with a seasonal best of 9.89 seconds, while Canada’s Andre de Grasse clocked a personal best 9.90 seconds to win the Bronze medal. Gatlin too had a career dogged by controversy. He was banned by USADA between 2006 and 2010 for two positive doping tests, but never tested positive for the last nine years.

“At the end of the day I didn’t do anything wrong so that’s why I’m here competing today. I’m just a young black man who’s living my dream. It’s disappointing that anyone would try to leak information to smear my reputation. At the end of the day it’s not something I focus on. I didn’t miss three tests so it’s a false accusation. This is a first-time thing and I’ve been tested a lot of times. I guess I can be more mature about it and more diligent about updating the system, but I did everything the right way and tried to be a model citizen and a good model for the sport.”” said Coleman, about updating his World Anti–Doping Agency whereabouts app.

When asked about whether he could replace the void by retired legend Usain Bolt , Coleman said that’snot something he think of.

I don’t think anyone will be able to reciprocate what he did in the sport. All you can do is be the best you can be and not try to be like him.If I can keep focusing on my craft and doing the best I can I can definitely win more gold medals. I’ve got to stay on my A game and hopefully get more medals in the future”said coleman .

Coleman had to answer an array of questions regarding his controversial missed tests and various statements by ex athletes.

“Michael Johnson doesn’t pay my bills or sign my cheques so I don’t necessarily care what he has to say. I think the face of the sport goes to the people who are putting up good performances and representing the sport in the right way” said Coleman when asked about a statement by former 200m and 400m world record holder Michael Johnson, who said that Coleman can never be the face of athletics.

Meanwhile, the 37-year-old Gatlin, who was struggling early this year to go under 10 seconds, suffered from injury ahead of the world championship but was still able to bring all his experience into the final to run a seasonal best 9.89 seconds.

“I strained my hamstring a get ready for Doha and be race ready.I’m just grateful to be here and thankful I could run the rounds smart and get in the final and put it all out there.” said Gatlin after the race.

It was strange not to see any Jamaican on the podium of the men’s 100m. For the first time since 2005 they failed to win a medal in a global 100m final, where stars like Asafa Powel, Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake were dominating the 100m for Jamaica for more than a decade. Blake, who was their only representative in the final, had a disappointing race and finished fifth.