Grenada's Kirani James wins 400 at worlds

DAEGU, South Korea - On a lean, LaShawn Merritt lost to the kid.

And with a stumble, the American 400-meter runner was introduced to world champion Kirani James, grabbing the back of the teenager's jersey to prevent himself from falling to the track after crossing the finish line.

A memorable first meeting and possibly the start of a robust rivalry.

James, the up-and-comer from the tiny Caribbean island of Grenada, used a late surge Tuesday to steal Merritt's title at the world championships.

With that, James put Merritt on notice: There's a new kid in the blocks, and he's pretty good. He's even drawing comparisons to Jamaican sensation Usain Bolt.

"I don't want to be the next Usain Bolt," said James, who turns 19 on Thursday. "I'm happy in my own skin. I'm on the right track to great things."

Understandably, Merritt was a little rusty. This was his first major meet since serving a 21-month suspension for using a banned substance that his lawyer said was the result of a male-enhancement product. He lost steam with about 10 meters to go, opening the door for James.

"He (James) is a great competitor," Merritt said as the Americans failed to win gold in the 400 for the first time since 2001. "I didn't quite have a good day."

Their next major meeting could come at the London Olympics. Provided, of course, Merritt is allowed to compete.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport will deliver a verdict on the IOC's "six-month rule," which took effect in 2008 and prevents athletes who receive doping bans of more than six months from competing at the next Summer or Winter Games. A decision is expected to be rendered in late September.

"I'm really not thinking about that," Merritt said. "I'll deal with that when it comes."

James ran a personal-best time of 44.60 seconds to edge Merritt by 0.03 and win Grenada its first medal at the worlds. He said he's certain the folks in his hometown of Gouyave, a small fishing community, will be celebrating.

"Everyone is happy," James said. "It is Carnival back home now."

It's not like James is an overnight success. He won the world junior title last year and a U.S. college crown last June when he ran for the University of Alabama.

His tall frame and ability to dominate have led to those comparisons to another sprinter.

"Every step of the way, he has been doing similar things as to what Bolt did," said Albert Joseph, the team leader for Grenada and the one-time coach of James. "I wouldn't say he's the next Bolt. But he has made a name for himself."

Indeed, he has. And James definitely has Merritt's attention.

"He's winning right now," Merritt said. "But I'm feeling good."

These days, Merritt is hardly race sharp, not after spending so much time out of competitions. But he's steadily climbing back into the form that led to an Olympic gold in Beijing and another a year later at the worlds in Berlin.

Maybe that's because he didn't spend the down time going through the motions in workouts, idly killing the time as he counted down the days until his return.

Instead, he brought in his own competition, a slew of recently graduated college sprinters to make sure he stayed on task and gave him a stern test.

Well, as much as they could anyway. Chasing around Merritt is no easy assignment.

He also pulled out old race film of himself, just so he could remember the technique he used overtake everyone, including his chief rival Jeremy Wariner, who's sidelined with a torn ligament in his left foot and didn't compete at the worlds.

It was lonely, Merritt said. Bringing in sprinters simply wasn't the same.

Merritt was able to return to racing in late July and promptly finished second at a meet in Stockholm. But like all athletes who were suspended for doping, a dark cloud hovers over him.

"I know that I am clean," Merritt said. "I can't really worry about what everybody else is thinking. I've been training hard. All I can do is leave it on the track."

Not having Wariner around is foreign for Merritt. He's been pushed and motivated by Wariner for most of his career.

Now, another adversary has hit the track, a youngster named James who only seems to be getting better with every race he runs.

"I am sure," Merritt said, "we'll meet again."