EUGENE -- Kirani James of Grenada used a strong final straight to hold off a challenge from two Americans to win the men's 400m in a season-best 44.30 at the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field.

For James, it was his first victory here since claiming the third of three consecutive 400m wins in 2016. 

Redemption for Kirani James!

After being disqualified at the world championships, he came back to win the Diamond League trophy in the men's 400m.

📺: @nbc & @peacock | #EugeneDL pic.twitter.com/x2vdlRfSWl

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) September 16, 2023

The 31-year-old, who did not medal at the World Championships and has had to overcome grief after the death of his longtime coach Harvey Glance, looked strong through the first half of the race and came off the final turn onto the straightaway with a slight advantage.

“I think it’s just consistency," James said. "You know, getting a good, consistent race in. With that, and just balancing my emotions. It’s a bit up and down. I was contemplating whether I should run at the Championships, but thinking of how he is, he would have wanted me to compete. Just try to finish the season strong. Everything for the rest of the season is pretty much dedicated to him.”

For a moment it looked like Americans Quincy Hall and Vernon Norwood might have enough to challenge for the lead down the stretch, but in the final 50 meters the two were not able to pull any closer than James' heels.

“My goal was to just try to run my own race," James said. "I had a little bit of a knee issue coming in, so just kinda test it out, see how far it would take me. Didn’t feel anything much first 200, so last 200 I just kind of put everything on the line.”

Hall finished second in 44.44 and Norwood was third in 44.61. Fellow American Bryce Deadmon finished fourth, running 44.90.

Alexander Ogando of Dominican Republic was disqualified for a false start.