Campbell wins 100m in photo-finish

OSAKA: Jamaica's Veronica Campbell edged American Lauryn Williams in a photo-finish to win the women's world 100 metres title on Monday.

Campbell and Williams clocked an identical 11.01 seconds with the judges taking several minutes to declare the winner, briefly plunging the event into confusion.

Carmelita Jeter claimed bronze for the United States in 11.02 but there was disappointment for her team-mate and former world champion Torri Edwards, who finished fourth.

Campbell, the Olympic 200m champion, made up for Jamaica's disappointment on Sunday when world 100m record-holder Asafa Powell was blown away by America's Tyson Gay.

It was a deserved victory for the 25-year-old from Kingston who ran the fastest semi in 10.99 and has the world's best time this year (10.89).

"It was one of my longest waits," she said of the agonising time it took to find out who had won.

"It was a bit confusing because the name was going back and forth but I want to thank God it was me.

"My start wasn't the greatest but I knew that I finished well. It was a very close race. I wasn't sure, it was a tight finish."

Williams was also confused at what was going on.

"I wasn't sure what happened. I really hoped it would be my name up there," she said. "I didn't really know what happened but when they played it back I realised that I leaned a bit early."

Jeter was a surprise medallist, although she had signalled her intent with the quickest time in the opening round.

But the predicted showdown between Campbell and Edwards failed to materialise.

The pair are the only women to breach the 11-second barrier this season with Edwards winning seven out of eight 100m races, her only loss coming at the hands of Campbell in New York.

Edwards, who took gold in Paris four years ago, has been in the form of her life this year after setting a personal best of 10.90.

Campbell, the Olympic 200m champion, has also been in scintillating form this season with three sub-11 second runs including the world's fastest time -- 10.89 in Kingston -- heading into the championships.    In 2003, Edwards finished second and third in the 100m and 200m, but was promoted to gold and silver after Kelli White's disqualification for doping.

Edwards was banned in April 2004 for taking nikethamide but was reinstated the following November when the substance was downgraded.