More photos from Paris

In a desperately tight finish, the St Kitts and Nevis star claimed his first world title in a time of 10.07 seconds.

Trinidad's 18-year-old Darrel Brown won silver while Britain's Darren Campbell took an unexpected bronze.

Britain's other finalist Dwain Chambers finished a disappointing fourth.

"This is the biggest thing that has happened to the country (St Kitts) since it got independence," said Collins, who won Commonwealth gold last year.

Day three highlights (modem)

"Nobody really looks at lane one and the focus was off me and on the centre of the track. I tried to get lane one because no-one really likes that lane.

Day three highlights (broadband)

"My start was better than in the semis - I knew everyone was out to get me. I saw Darrel Brown in the corner and I actually thought he won it.

I knew I would get it right here Darren Campbell

"It was an outstanding race with not one person out in front, but everyone all together."

The race may not have been fast - it was the slowest winning time since the inaugural World Championships in 1983 - but it was competitive.

Both Brown and Campbell clocked 10.08 as the first six sprinters came home within 0.06 seconds of each other.

Campbell was delighted with his performance after a difficult year.

"Hopefully now I will get the respect I deserve as people seem to forget about me," said Campbell.

"It's difficult for me to sum up how I feel.

"I have now got a medal from every championships - Olympic silver, Commonwealth bronze and European gold. The world was the only thing I was missing but now I have got it."

He added: "I've been focused all year even if it hasn't been a good one. However, I knew I would get it right here."

Silver medallist Brown said: "If everything goes to plan I hope to do even better at the Olympics in Athens next year."

It was a bad day for America.

World record-holder Tim Montgomery was fifth in 10.11 while Bernard Williams was sixth in 10.13.