Christian Coleman is officially the fastest man on the planet.The 2019 World Athletics Championships roared into action on the second day and there was no better way to end a Saturday night of action than with the men's 100-metre final.In truth, Coleman's victory was somewhat predictable and after catapulting himself out of the blocks, the race quickly became a question of just how fast the American could run.The answer? 9.76 seconds, lowering his personal best and becoming the sixth fastest man in history behind Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell and Justin Gatlin.And speaking of the last name on that list, Gatlin - the reigning champion - still managed to bulldoze his way to a silver medal ahead of Andre de Grasse despite his advancing years.

Coleman sprints to victory

Ever the pantomime villain, lest we forget his two-year doping ban, Gatlin failed to reel in his compatriot as he had done last time out at London 2017. 

There was just no stopping Coleman this time and the usually placid American went flying around the bend, hugging his coach in the stands and embracing the star-spangled banner on his back.

Further down the field, Zharnel Hughes will feel a little disappointed to have finished sixth, especially when so many athletics fans were tipping him as something of a dark horse.

Disappointment for Zharnel Hughes

Was victory a little unrealistic? Maybe, but a medal was definitely feasible and the Jamaica-based athlete admitted that he just didn't feel right before the final.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT after the race, Hughes explained: "It was just a messed up race. Unfortunately, my body wasn't responding well and I just wasn't feeling like myself.

"I'm not injured or anything. I was ok going in and I was fine after the semi-finals, but I just started feeling light-headed for some reason and I tried my very best to get composure of myself.

"Whenever I tried to do something relaxing, it just kept getting worse. At the finish line, I just started losing my form. I just don't know what happened."

Empty seats in Doha

There was also a grandiose lights-show before the race featuring images of the athletes projected on the track and a massive ECG graphic, just in case the finalists weren't nervous enough.

The whole display was well executed, but it felt awkward when the Khalifa International stadium was so sparsely populated.

Aside from an admittedly partisan group of Ethiopian fans, there was an abundance of empty seats throughout the night, even when the sport's blue riband event took centre stage.

As for the cameras in the blocks, which Akani Simbine admitted invaded his privacy, the less said about them the better.

Glory for Gayle and Hassan

Elsewhere, there was a shock in the men's long jump as neither the World champion, Olympic champion nor the world leader emerged victorious in Doha.

Instead, Jamaica's Tajay Gayle rose from 12th in the qualifying rounds to claim the gold medal with an astonishing jump of 8.69 metres, rocket-launching him into the all-time top 10.

The first track World champion of the competition was also crowned in the women's 10,000m and it was mile world-record holder Sifan Hassan who claimed the honour.

The Dutch athlete outmatched Letesenbet Gidey in a fascinating duel, produced a blistering final lap of 61.5 seconds and eventually claimed the gold medal in a time of 30:17.62.

Price takes hammer glory

And Coleman wasn't the first American to conquer the world in 2019 as DeAnna Price became the first woman from the USA to win a global hammer throw title.

The 26-year-old's third-round launch of 77.54 metres was enough to overcome Joanna Fiodorow and Zheng Wang, who collected the silver and bronze medals respectively.

Away from the finals and there was a promising start for the British men in the 800 metres with Kyle Langford, Elliot Giles and Jamie Webb all progressing to the semi-finals.

Chaos after Nijel Amos news

Webb, however, had to overcome some pre-race chaos after it was revealed that Nijel Amos - the fastest man in the world this year - had pulled out with an injury at the last minute.

"I really had to forget about it because it made call-up really chaotic," the Liverpudlian told GIVEMESPORT.

"Obviously, I was ready for him. I don't like to think that anybody is unbeatable but out of everyone in the field, he was the significant favourite. You've got to be aware of him, but not give him any respect.

"In call-up, it was really boisterous and all the officials were running around. I had to forget about it and sort of gee myself up that it was all so close. It was a weird heat."

800m and pole vault action

There was no such British success in the women's iteration as both Alexandra Bell and Shelyna Oskan-Clarke fell - literally in the case of the later - short of the final.

Instead, it was the American contingent of Raevyn Rogers and Ajee Wilson who impressed the most in the absence of reigning champion Caster Semenya.

Elsewhere in the pole vault, Renaud Lavillenie's World Championship 'curse' struck once again with a shock exit in the qualifying rounds after failing to clear 5.70 metres.

Sam Kendriks and Piotr Lisek were the only vaulters to progress with perfect records, but they can expect a stern challenge from the likes of Thiago Braz da Silva on Tuesday.

Rooney hits back at Michael Johnson

There was also the debut of the mixed 4x400m relay, which was a roaring success in our eyes with its high entertainment value and sheer originality.

However, not everybody felt the same way as Michael Johnson tweeted after the first heat: "Mixed relay in the middle of the champs. A sport that many say already has too many events. Why?

"And “innovation” isn’t an answer. Innovation is only good when it works to fix a problem (this sport has many) or improves upon something."

We showed the tweet to Great Britain's Martyn Rooney moments after securing a place in the final and he passionately responded: "If he's got any better ideas, let's hear them.

"Rather than moan all the bloody time and have a go at everybody all the time, come out and put something forward. I'm sick of seeing him slag off British athletes all the time. Do one."

More to come after day two

There were signs on day two that the sheer quality of athletics could revive a championship that had spluttered into life with poor attendances and a practically dystopian marathon.

Will it save a competition that appeared doomed from the start? Perhaps not, but its heart beats a little stronger with Coleman pulsing through its veins.