Sprint star Gatlin ends season undefeated

American Justin Gatlin has become the first sprinter since Usain Bolt in 2009 to go unbeaten in a season.

Gatlin, 32, completed a perfect 18-0 record in his 2014 sprints by winning the 100-metres dash in Rieti, Italy, in 9.83 seconds on Sunday.

The race came two days after he ran a world leading 9.77 in Brussels at the Diamond League finale. The American also had the fastest time over 200m this year with 19.68 seconds.

The world record holder and multiple world and Olympic champion Bolt was the last man to go unbeaten in one season, five years ago.

Bolt rarely started this year but aims to be back in good form in the 2015 season highlighted by the world championships in Beijing where Gatlin could be his biggest rival.