Djabir Saīd-Guerni of Algeria staved off a strong challenge from Yuriy Borzakovskiy of Russia to win the men's 800 metres at the World Athletics championships, in Paris on Sunday.

The 26-year-old army Sergant, a bronze medallist at the Sydney Olympics, surprised a strong field as he beat Borzakovskiy on the line. He timed 1:44.81 seconds, breasting the tape a mere .03 seconds ahead of Borzakovskiy.

Mbulaeni Mulaudzi of South Africa took the bronze in 1:44.90 seconds.
 
Kenyan-born Wilson Kipketer, who was unbeaten in the 800 metres 1996 and 1997 and even held the world record then, finished a poor fourth, timing 1:45.23 seconds.

Photograph: Getty Images