After challenging Gatlin, Ogunode clocks 9.93 in Rieti

Athletes compete during a men’s 3000 meters competition at the IAAF Grand Prix in Rieti, Italy. AP

RIETI, Italy — Signaling he could be a man to watch in the sprints next year, Nigerian-born Qatar runner Femi Ogunode comfortably won the 100 meters in 9.93 seconds at the Rieti World Challenge meeting Sunday (Monday Manila time).

Two days ago at the Diamond League meet in Brussels, the 24-year-old Ogunode ran the same 9.98 time as Justin Gatlin — although he finished second.

Gatlin withdrew from the Rieti meet after feeling a twinge in his left quad in Brussels, ending his season.

In wet and rainy conditions, Jamaicans Nesta Carter and Julian Forte finished second and third, in 10.06 and 10.09, respectively.

Asafa Powell set a then-world record of 9.74 at the Raul Guidobaldi stadium in 2007.

Elaine Thompson of Jamaica, the silver medalist at worlds, won the 200 in 22.59.