The young Jamaican Antonio Watson, 21, created a surprise by winning the 400m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Thursday, the South African Wayde Van Niekerk taking only 7th place.
In the absence of Olympic champion Steven Gardiner and defending champion Michael Norman, Watson ran in 44.22 seconds to edge Briton Matthew Hudson-Smith (44.31), who had seized the European record in the semi-finals. , and the American Quincy Hall (44.37).
Only 29th in the world ranking of the discipline, Watson had been cadet world champion (under 18) of the discipline in 2017, at only 15 years old. His record, 44 sec 13, was set in the semifinals on Tuesday.
World record holder Wayde Van Niekerk, back to the fore after years of injury-related struggles, failed in the final straight to cut the line in 45 sec 11.
World champion in 2011 and reigning vice-world champion, Grenadian Kirani James was disqualified after crossing the line in 5th position.
