Simbine runs 9.94 seconds over 100m at Bislett Games for 2nd straight Diamond League win

Clouds and rain had rolled in by the time Akani Simbine of South Africa sprinted to victory in the men's 100 metres in 9.94 seconds Thursday at the Bislett Games, just off the season's fastest time of 9.93 set by Americans Christian Miller and Kendal Williams.

It was the third consecutive victory for Simbine and second in a row on the Diamond League professional circuit to start the outdoor season.

"[The rain] probably influenced the race but at the end of the day we all have to run 100, rain or not, and get to the line first," Simbine said. "I put my marker out to the world today that I am here. Getting the win always helps with confidence as we get closer to Paris [and the Olympics in July]."

It was also his first clocking under 10 seconds this season across five races, including heats and semifinals. His previous best was 10.01 achieved at the April 27 Diamond League in Suzhou, China and eight days earlier in the final of the South African championships.

Japan's Abdul Hakim Sani Brown was second in 9.99 while Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon ran 10.01 for third at the Diamond League meet in Oslo, Norway.

Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs was fourth in 10.03, while Britain's Jeremiah Azu, who cracked the 10-second barrier for the first time in his career five days earlier, suffered an injury when leading mid-race and limped to the finish line.

WATCH | Simbine dips under 10 seconds to take men's 100m in Oslo:

American Brittany Brown won the women's 200 at Bislett Stadium, clocking 22.32 out of Lane 8, while world champion Shericka Jackson's early-season struggles continued.

Jamaica's Jackson, the second fastest woman ever over the distance, finished fifth in 22.97, well off the 21.41 she clocked last season and slightly