Kelli WHITE delivered what she has been promising for much of the summer and won the women's 100m gold medal on Sunday evening in a world leading time, 10.85, while her American teammate Torri EDWARDS produced a personal best 10.93 for silver, six hundredths ahead of the defending champion Zhanna BLOCK (UKR), who ran her best race of the year when it mattered most, clocking 10.99.
These three were the only athletes to break 11 seconds and the French dream of a medal for Christine ARRON evaporated as she finished sixth in 11.06. Chandra STURRUP, the fastest woman in the world this year before tonight, was fourth in 11.02, with Greece's Ekaterini THANOU running a season's best 11.03 for fifth.
White succeeded the Olympic champion Marion Jones to win the US title back in June, beating Edwards into second on that occasion too. But it was Edwards, who got the best start here, flying out of the blocks in lane one, to establish an early advantage. White, in lane five, also started well, as did Block and Sturrup, and by 70m the American champion had edged ahead.
Edwards held her form, and held off the challenge of Block in lane two beside her. But White was clear, and crossed the line with her arms raised in victory. Thanou, after a poor start in lane four, made up ground in the closing stages but not enough to catch Sturrup, who held on to fourth.
Arron was almost caught by Jamaica's Aleen BAILEY whose 11.07 was one hundredth inside her personal best. Despite her fastest race of the year, former Olympic champion Gail DEVERS finished last, in 11.11.
These three were the only athletes to break 11 seconds and the French dream of a medal for Christine ARRON evaporated as she finished sixth in 11.06. Chandra STURRUP, the fastest woman in the world this year before tonight, was fourth in 11.02, with Greece's Ekaterini THANOU running a season's best 11.03 for fifth.
White succeeded the Olympic champion Marion Jones to win the US title back in June, beating Edwards into second on that occasion too. But it was Edwards, who got the best start here, flying out of the blocks in lane one, to establish an early advantage. White, in lane five, also started well, as did Block and Sturrup, and by 70m the American champion had edged ahead.
Edwards held her form, and held off the challenge of Block in lane two beside her. But White was clear, and crossed the line with her arms raised in victory. Thanou, after a poor start in lane four, made up ground in the closing stages but not enough to catch Sturrup, who held on to fourth.
Arron was almost caught by Jamaica's Aleen BAILEY whose 11.07 was one hundredth inside her personal best. Despite her fastest race of the year, former Olympic champion Gail DEVERS finished last, in 11.11.
