Perdita Felicien cruised to a gold medal over the 100m hurdles at the World Championships in Paris. The Canadian made her explosive start count and crossed the line in a new national record time of 12.53 seconds.
Pre-race favourite Brigitte Foster from Jamaica had to settle for silver and her dramatic dip for the line saw her take a nasty fall which left her with scratches on her face.
American Miesha McKelvy-Jones took the bronze medal.
"I am in a lot of shock it will take a few weeks to get over this," said Felicien after the race.
"My start is my weakest point and I knew that if I got that right then I had a real chance of winning the race."
Felicien's victory saw her become Canada's first ever female world gold medallist.
Canada hosted the last World Championships in Edmonton two years ago but they did not win any medals at all.
Three-time world champion Gail Devers did not reach the final after stumbling at the fifth hurdle in the semi-finals.
Women's 100m hurdles results:
1. Perdita Felicien (Can) 12.53secs
2. Brigitte Foster (Jam) 12.57
3. Miesha McKelvy (USA) 12.67
4. Glory Alozie (Spa) 12.75
5. Aurelia Trywianska (Pol) 12.75
6. Jenny Adams (USA) 12.77
7. Patricia Girard (Fra) 12.83
8. Lacena Golding-Clarke (Jam) 12.87
9. Vonette Dixon (Jam) 12.87
MMIX
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