Jamaican sprinter Veronica Campbell has won the women's 100-meters title at the World Athletics Championships in Osaka, Japan. As VOA's David Byrd reports, Campbell edged defending champion Lauryn Williams to take the crown.
By the narrowest of margins Campbell walked away with the gold medal in a photo finish. In the end, both the Jamaican and defending champion Lauryn Williams of the United States were credited with the same time of 11.01 seconds.
The runners stayed on the track waiting for the final result for several minutes. Campbell said she was confident she had finished well, but the waiting was tough.
"It was nerve wracking," she admitted. "It was one of my longest moments to wait. I was not sure. It was a little confusing because the names were going back and forth, but I want to thank God that I was able to win."
American Carmelita Jeter took the bronze (11.02).
Lauryn Williams said that she was satisfied with running her best race.
"I think I should not have leaned so early and maybe I would have a definite win in there," she said. "But could have would have should have does not matter, I put my heart out there and I am not at all upset about what I did."
In other events, Russia's Yekaterina Volkova won the gold in the women's 3,000 meters steeplechase (in 9:06.57).
Her compatriot Tatyana Petrova took the silver (9:09.19) with Kenya's Eunice Jepkorir taking the bronze (9:20.09).
In men's events, Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele won his third world 10,000 meters championship by sprinting past compatriot Sileshi Sihine on the last lap in 27:05.90. Bekele, the world record holder, said he felt honored to win the crown for the third time.
"Yes, it is very special you know. It is very special for me," he said. "I am very pleased to have this chance. It is not easy to win for the third time at a world championship. So I am very happy."
Sihine took the silver (27:09.03) and Kenya's Martin Irungu Mathathi won the bronze (27:12.17).
Portugal's Nelson Evora won gold in the men's triple jump with a distance of 17-meters, 74 centimeters.
Jadel Gregorio of Brazil won the silver (17.59). Defending champion Walter Davis of the United States won the bronze (17.33).
Ivan Tsikhan of Belarus took the men's hammer throw gold with a winning toss of 83 meters, 63 centimeters.
Primoz Kozmus of Slovenia won the silver (82.29) with Libor Charfrietag of Slovakia taking bronze (81.60).
After three days of competition, the United States leads the medals table with two gold medals and seven total. Ethiopia also has two gold, but three total. Belarus has three medals, but only one gold.
