HELSINKI – The Bahamas’ Olympic champion Tonique Williams-Darling battled through torrential rain to win the world 400 metres title on Wednesday.
Williams-Darling fought off a determined challenge from American Sanya Richards to take the gold medal in 49.55 seconds.
Richards was second in 49.74 and 2003 world champion Ana Guevara of Mexico third in 49.81.
Richards was level with Guevara at the first bend and had a slight lead coming off the final turn but Williams-Darling maintained her form and powered through to the finish.
The 29-year-old, who won a share of the Golden League jackpot in 2004, knelt down on the track and mouthed the words “thank you” before wrapping a Bahamian flag around herself.
Richards’s silver was her first individual medal at a major championships. She won gold in the 4×400 relay at the 2003 world championships and last year’s Olympics.
By Alison Wildey
today.reuters.co.uk
