Williams edges Campbell to land 100m gold

Brendan Mooney, Helsinki

The 21-year-old Olympic silver medallist timed 10.93 seconds to beat the Olympic bronze medallist Veronica Campbell of Jamaica running 10.95sec, a personal season’s best, while Christine Arron of France was third in 10.98sec.

“Silver at the Olympics felt good but gold here at the worlds is great,” said Williams.

In the pouring rain Williams shot out of the blocks and, along with Chandra Sturrup, shared the lead neck and neck down the first 60 metres.

However, the Bahamian veteran, faded and Arron laid down her challenge but was never able to get within reach and it was Campbell who came late to edge second place just ahead of the French girl.

For Campbell it meant an improvement on her showing at the Olympics last year while for Arron it was yet another disappointment at world level.

Long distance running great Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia retained his men’s 10,000 metres title yesterday. The 23-year-old Olympic champion timed 27minutes 08.33 seconds ahead of compatriot and Olympic silver medallist Sileshi Sihine (27:08.87) while Kenya’s Moses Mosop took bronze in a personal best time of 27:08.96.

For Bekele it rounded off a traumatic year in which he has experienced the tragedy of his fiancee and training partner Alem Techale dying of a suspected heart attack.

“It was a fantastic race. It’s a great feeling to have won. The race was very important for me, being the world championships,” said Bekele, who threatens to even surpass the achievements of his legendary compatriot Haile Gebrselassie.

However, he confirmed that he won’t be chasing a world title double here, opting not to take part in the 5,000 metres.

seventh.

Docus Inzikuru of Uganda won the women’s 3,000 metres steeplechase title while Kajsa Bergqvist of Sweden won the women’s high jump title.