TOKYO: Italy's Lamont Marcell Jacobs won the men's 100 metres gold at the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday.

Jacobs powered to victory with a strong second half of the race, to win in a personal best of 9.80 seconds.

Fred Kerley of the United States took silver in 9.84, and Canada's Andre de Grasse had bronze in 9.89, according to Xinhua News Agency.

China's Su Bingtian came sixth in 9.98, the best ever result for Asian sprinters.

The international media has reported that even in a race with no clear favourites, the Texas-born Jacobs was a surprise winner to take the mantle held for the past 13 years by the now-retired Usain Bolt.

While Italy has twice won gold in the men's 200m, it had never won a medal in the 100m until Jacobs broke through on Sunday night.

-- BERNAMA