Gay and Wariner ease through qualifying rounds

OSAKA, Japan, Aug 28 (Reuters) Favoured Americans Tyson Gay and Jeremy Wariner eased through morning qualifying rounds in early competition at the world championships today.

Gay, the newly crowned 100 metres champion, won his 200 metres preliminary race in 20.46 seconds.

World and Olympic 400 metres champion Wariner clocked 45.10 seconds, running hard for less than half the race.

Gay finished one-hundredth of a second ahead of Churandy Martina of Netherland Antilles and Sandro Viana of Brazil.

Anastasios Gousis of Greece was the fastest qualifier in a personal best 20.11 seconds.

''I felt pretty sluggish,'' Gay told reporters following a day of rest after his 100 metres triumph. ''I didn't want to run this fast, but my competitors are tough. They gave me a tough run in the first race.'' Gay is bidding for a golden treble in the championships, seeking titles in the 100, 200 and 4x100 metres relay.

Wariner is among the biggest favourites for victory in Osaka as he chases Michael Johnson's world record of 43.18 seconds.

''I felt good,'' Wariner said. ''I shut it down at the 250 (metres), so I will see about tomorrow (in the semi-final). I'm ready to go.'' Wariner is unconcerned about Osaka's hot and humid weather.

''It's nothing,'' the Texan said. ''I train in this every day.'' Bahamian Chris Brown had the fastest time of the round, 44.50 seconds.

Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva takes centre stage later today, promising something special for the Japanese crowd.

Finals are also scheduled in the men's 400m hurdles, discus, and 3,000 metres steeplechase and two other women's events -- the long jump and 800 metres. Lithuanian Virgilijus Alekna goes for his third title in the discus.

REUTERS SSC RK1018