American sprinter Justin Gatlin suffered a thigh injury in the men’s 100-meter dash at the IAAF World Challenge in Zagreb, placing fourth in a time of 10.29 seconds. The 37-year-old reigning titleholder may be out of the upcoming IAAF World Championships in Qatar. 

Gatlin suddenly grimaced in pain after about 80 meters but still finished fourth in 10.29 seconds before leaving the track supported by a fellow athlete. The 37-year-old American's compatriot Mike Rodgers won the title in 10.04 seconds. The IAAF confirmed the world champ was injured during the race but did not offer any further details. Gatlin won bronze at the 2012 summer Olympics in London after taking home the gold in the men's 100-meter in Athens in 2004. 

Gatlin beat Jamaican great Usain Bolt by 0.03 seconds at the 2017 World Championships in London, claiming his second 100-meter title in 9.92 seconds. This year's event will be held in Doha with the 100-meter heats beginning on day one of the competition on September 27.