Michelle Perry, who a year ago finished as a distant also-ran in the Olympic Heptathlon, tonight claimed her first World title, winning a drama-packed 100 metres Hurdles final.
The 26-year-old American was always leading the race, in which the four principles - Perry, the Jamaicans Brigitte Foster-Hylton and Delloreen Ennis-London and Joanna Hayes, the Olympic champion - were drawn in the centre lanes.
But it was close, very close, through to the fourth flight, when Perry edged away slightly. You could sense the three others bristle in reaction.
Hayes then started to make a move, perceptibly closing the gap on her team mate. But then, at the penultimate barrier, when apparently poised to push past Perry, she clipped the hurdle. For a moment, it seemed as nothing.
But the loss of balance threw Hayes sideways. It may also have affected Foster-Hylton, the World silver medallist in Paris two years ago. And although she tried to correct her slip, Hayes had run out of space and painfully crashed through the last hurdle as her rivals sped away from her.
Perhaps it was the break in concentration at the vital moment, but the Jamaicans' attempt to catch Perry was as good as over once the American cleared the last hurdle herself and began to sprint for the line, which she crossed in 12.66sec to the Hyphenated Hurdlers' 12.76, with Ennis-London getting the judges' decision for silver.
Hayes had crossed the finishing line in 13.57, although the judges would disqualify her. She slumped on all fours, in pain as much as anguish at her fate, and needed to be helped away, heavy strapping and ice on her left knee.
Perry, who is coached by Bobby Kersee, has this year referred to "returning to my first love", the sprint hurdles, which had already seen her crowned as American champion. As the realisation dawned upon the Los Angeles resident that she was now also World champion, her delighted smile warmed the stoic crowd that had endured another uncomfortable night's weather in the Olympic Stadium.
