Gold again for Perry

12 April 2012

Michelle Perry defended her 100 metres hurdles title after flying off the final barrier to snatch victory in 12.46seconds at the World Championships in Osaka.

Perry's power over the last 10m saw her pull clear of 2003 gold medalist Perdita Felicien of Canada and last year's European champion, Susanna Kallur.

Sweden's Kallur made the mid-race running before the American produced her hot finish and confirmed herself as the world number one this summer.

Felicen clinched Canada's first medal of the championships by clocking a season's best 12.49secs.

Kallur, a revelation throughout the qualifying rounds, finished .02 behind, running a personal best.

Perry, 28, has excelled since quitting the heptathlon after finishing 14th at the 2004 Olympics and concentrating on her strongest individual event.

Since then, she has been a dominant force although Ginnie Powell was the first hurdler to beat her at the US trials.

The US champion was fifth on Wednesday in 12.55.