Sanchez gives Dominican Republic first gold

Felix Sanchez held off a late challenge by defending champion Fabrizio Mori of Italy to win the 400 metres hurdles world title on Friday and give the Dominican Republic its first ever championship medal.

Sanchez, born in New York, raised in California and now competing for his parent's homeland, needed a season best 47.49 seconds to secure the historic victory and become the 10th fastest 400m hurdler of all time.

Mori, closing coming off the final hurdles, crossed 0.05 seconds adrift in a national record of 47.54, while Japan's Dai Tamesue took the bronze with 47.89.

The previous best result by a Dominican at a worlds was fifth place by Juan Nunez in the 100 metres at the first championships in Helsinki in 1983.

"I can't believe I won," said Sanchez, who covered his eyes and broke into tears after realising he had the gold. "To be number one, to have a personal best, to be ranked in the top 10 of all time, to win the gold is just unthinkable."

Sanchez's path to victory was cleared of one of its major hurdles when Olympic champion Angelo Taylor of the United States, who had crashed out in the semifinals.

But the Dominican was full value for the win as he took control of the race from the gun, quickly making up the stagger with Mori in hot pursuit.

"I pulled it off," said Sanchez, still wearing a flashing bracelet used in the opening ceremonies at the Sydney Olympics to remind him of the mistakes he made there in not making the final. "It was a very hard race but I knew I had to run my own race.

"From the start to the finish I gave it all I had.

"I handle the pressure very well."

For the first time in the history of the championships the United States did not place a runner in the final.

The USA Track & Field had courted the 23-year-old hurdler but Sanchez said there was only one country he wanted to run for.

"I guess you could say I'm a product of the U.S. system, I was born in the U.S. and I went to school there," said Sanchez. "But I'm full blooded Dominican.

"I had to represent my country, my blood.

"To be the first to win a medal for the Dominican Republic, it makes it even more special to win the gold.

"Now they're going to expect the gold from me every time."