Justin Gatlin added the world 100 metres title to his Olympic crown at the World Championships in Helsinki.
The 23-year-old American finished in 9.88 seconds, a season's best, ahead of
Michael Frater of Jamaica and defending champion Kim Collins.
In a tight finish both clocked 10.05secs.
The American had emerged as the clear favourite in the absence through injury of world record holder Asafa Powell and he imposed himself on the race at the half-way stage after Leonard Scott had made the early pace.
Gatlin surged ahead of the field with Frater and Collins both surprise medalists - the St Kitts and Nevis athlete having made the final after edging out Britain's Jason Gardener by just one-hundredth of a second in the semi-finals and relegating Olympic silver medallist Francis Obikwelu to fourth.
Although Gatlin's winning margin was the biggest ever in the sprint final in world championship history, he believes he could actually have clocked a better time. He said: “I could have gone even faster. I messed up a couple of steps in the race.
“I think I have a lot left in the tank. I reserved myself because I have a lot of rounds to run in the 200m.
“The target is two more golds. I just wanted to get the 100m out of the way and get ready for the 200m and the relay.”
Powell himself said: “I’m quite confident I would have won but it might have been a great match-up. It was a good race anyway - I really respect him a lot. He is a good champion.”
