Oliver hurdles to Moscow glory

Moscow - David Oliver of the United States won his first major title on Monday, claiming the 110 metres hurdles crown at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow.

The 31-year-old 2008 Olympic bronze medalist posted the fastest time of the year, 13.00sec, while compatriot Ryan Wilson took silver with 13.13sec and Russian Sergey Shubenkov won the bronze in 13.24sec.

For Oliver it was a huge moment and as he realised his achievement he sank to his knees and put his head in his hands and the emotion got to his mother, who was watching from the stands.

"My Mum cried, she's so happy, she had tears streaming down her face and almost made me cry," he said.

"When you have suffered disappointments like I have you have to keep your head up and remain determined to overcome them, otherwise you will never succeed," he said.

"That is what I did. There is always some hope that one can bounce back from taking endless hits."

Defending champion Jason Richardson finished fourth after hitting the final hurdle while Olympic champion Aries Merritt was never in contention and finished sixth.

Oliver led from the off and was never troubled as he hurdled prfectly, not touching any of them on his way to a title that his great talent had promised but never delivered when it mattered.

"It feels good after all the hard work I did, all the sacrifices and forcing myself into the gym and the track work as well.

"Now I feel tired. However, this is a different type of tiredness to the previous occasions. Those were tinged with despair, this time I just feel delight, and now I know how others have felt to be the world champion."

Wilson, another veteran at 32, also had a proud mother in the stands.

"I am so proud and so excited and I rushed over and gave my mum a hug. She is like a lucky charm for me as I always run well when she is in the house."

While Oliver was perfect and Wilson produced the performance of his life it was a different story for their two more celebrated compatriots.

Richardson, whose number one status had been dismantled last year when Merritt won in London and then broke the world record shortly afterwards, looked set for bronze until he clattered the last hurdle.

The 27-year-old stumbled and it was enough for Shubenkov to steal in and take third.

Merritt, who has had a disappointing season affected by injury and poor form, trailed from the blocks and any chance of a medal disappeared as he hit two hurdles.