Idowu set a new British indoor record on his way to winning gold

Phillips Idowu has dismissed talk that he will go into the Beijing Olympics as triple jump favourite after winning gold at the World Indoor Championships.

The 29-year-old Londoner leapt 17.75m - a new British indoor record - to claim his country's only victory in Valencia. Idowu said: "I wouldn't class myself as a favourite. I like to be in the background until absolutely necessary.

"There were a few people that didn't come to this competition and they are preparing for the outdoor season."

Highlights: Idowu wins triple-jump gold

Idowu, the reigning European indoor champion, was behind Cuban Arnie Grant after the opening round but pulled out his winning jump in the second.

606: DEBATE Well done Idowu. He's really shown that he can perform when it counts rocco75

It was 11cm further than the mark set by Jonathan Edwards in 1998 and the fifth longest in indoor history.

"There is still a whole heap of medals that I need to go out and pick up," added Idowu.

"This one is a nice one and it sets my up very well going into the outdoor season.

"For me it is just a chance to see what kind of shape I'm in after four or five months of work and it's obviously very good, but there is a lot more to do and I can still progress."