Usain Bolt wins in return from injury

The world's fastest man took a step forward in his injury recovery ahead of next month's world championships in Beijing.

Usain Bolt won the men's 100-meter dash in 9.87 seconds with a 0.8 meter/second head-wind at the London Diamond League on Friday afternoon, in his first race back from a blocked sacroiliac joint injury.

Bolt signaled his return to form with a 9.87 second victory into a 1.2 meter/second head-wind in the preliminary round. The performance marked his first time under 10 seconds for the 100-meter dash.

Bolt withdrew from Diamond League races in Paris and Lausanne, Switzerland earlier in the month. Bolt has said that he will be on the starting line to defend his world championship titles in the men's 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash next month in Beijing.

Bolt's best time of 9.87 in 2015 is still behind American Justin Gatlin, who handed Bolt his last loss in June 2013. Gatlin, 33, leads the world in 2015 with his personal bests of 9.74 in the 100-meter dash and 19.75 in the 200-meter dash. Gatlin and Bolt are not expected to face each other until the world championships.

Bolt remains the second fastest Jamaican on the year behind 32-year-old Asafa Powell, who has run 9.81 seconds on the year.

Watch Bolt's 9.87 in the preliminary round.

[youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wISX1wNKosg]

Watch Bolt's 9.87 victory in the final. 

[youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thOhA5E_vzc]

• LAYDEN: Justin Gatlin awaits next chance to add to long, winding narrative

- Christopher Chavez