TOKYO, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Gift Leotlela sprang a surprise in the men's 100 meters first round at the World Athletics Championships on Saturday, setting a personal best to lead the field.

The 23-year-old, ranked 28th in the world, won heat 1 in 9.87 seconds to top a field of 56 sprinters.

Olympic and world champion Noah Lyles of the United States also advanced, winning Heat 3 in 9.95 seconds to qualify in fourth place overall. Nigeria's Kayinsola Ajayi clocked 9.88 for second, while Jamaica's Oblique Seville was third in 9.93.

Italy's Lamont Marcell Jacobs, the Olympic champion in this stadium four years ago, secured the final semifinal spot in 24th place.

China's Xie Zhenye posted a season-best 10.21 but failed to qualify, while teammate Deng Xingrui also missed out after finishing fifth in his heat in 10.23.

Only 24 sprinters progressed to Sunday's semifinals. ■