World 100 metres champion Brigitte Foster-Hylton leaps into the arms of her husband, Patrick Hylton, moments after yesterday's victory at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics being held in Berlin, Germany. - JIS
Berlin, Germany:
Jamaica produced another glittering performance at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin last night.
Veteran Brigitte Foster-Hylton gave a scintillating display to win the women's 100 metres hurdles gold medal in a season-best 12.51 seconds, while Delloreen Ennis-London showed grit and determination from the difficult lane eight to snatch the bronze medal in 12.55, also a season best, just behind Canada's Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, who clocked 12.54 for silver.
Overjoyed at victory
Foster-Hylton was understandably overjoyed with her historic victory. It was the first time Jamaica had won a sprint hurdles gold medal at a major World Championship event.
"I have worked assiduously at my technique. My coach, Stephen Francis, has prepared me well and I am happy I was able to pull off a season best and be world champion," she said shortly after a victory lap wrapped in the Jamaica flag, accompanied by Ennis-London.
"I knew it was going to be a tough race," she added.
"The girls have been running very fast week after week and today I came out victorious and I am so overjoyed. We have been very good at this event for so long and it is a pity it took us so long to win a gold medal at the world level."
The 34-year-old now has a complete set of medals from the World Championships - silver in 2003, bronze in 2005 and now gold.
Wary of lane eight
Ennis-London, who also has three World Championships medals, said she was wary of lane eight but everything worked out well in the end.
"Tonight, my coach told me I was in lane eight but I should not panic but go out there and execute. I think I did not get my first three hurdles right but I am just thankful that I was able to come on strong in the end. So to get this third I am very happy."
Yesterday's gold and bronze pushed Jamaica's medal tally for the championships to seven - three gold, two silver and two bronze.
It is already the country's best-ever showing at a World Championships.
In 11 previous World Champion-ships, Jamaica had never won more than one gold medal at a single meet.
The United States head the medal table with eight - three gold, two silver and two bronze, while Kenya are third on six - two gold, two silver and two bronze.