UK, Mar 06: Jason Gardener clinched Britain's first gold of the World Indoors with a blistering run in the men's 60m. The "Bath Bullet" won in a time of 6.49 seconds ahead of chief rival Shawn Crawford to become the first Briton to win the indoor sprint crown.

The American finished strongly for the silver, while Greek sprinter Yeoryios Theodorídis snatched the bronze. Gardener's win exceeded Britain's previous 60m best at the championship - silver by Linford Christie in 1991.

"I'm very pleased to be world champion...at last," said Gardener, "as there was a lot of pressure on me.

"I came here with the fastest times in the world and I knew there would be some serious competition from Shawn Crawford and others."

Gardener, who woke up on Friday with a stomach upset, credited his win to coach Malcolm Arnold, who had previously worked with Colin Jackson.

"There was good opposition out there and I believe I have the right guy guiding me, preparing me to run well when it really matters," said Gardener.

In the women's event, America's Gail Devers comfortably snatched gold in a time of 7.08secs.

The 37-year-old American edged Belgian Kim Gevaert into second, while Yuliya Nesterenko took the bronze.
Bureau Report