IAAF World Championships 2013: American David Oliver claims 110m hurdles gold

The USA’s David Oliver wins the men’s 110 metres hurdles at the 2013 IAAF World Championships at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow (Getty Images)

American David Oliver blitzed past his challengers to claim the gold in the men’s 110m hurdles at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow.

At 31, after multiple failed attempts, Oliver put an end to all the frustration by running a season’s best 13.0 seconds to win by 0.13 seconds – which happens to be the biggest ever margin of victory in the history of this event at the World Championships.

Oliver’s compatriot Ryan Wilson – the US champion – finished with the silver medal, a fair way behind. Russia again supplied the bronze medal winner as Sergey Shubenkov finished third in a time of 13.24 seconds. Shubenkov’s bronze was Russia’s first in this event at the World Championships.

“This victory means the world to me. It feels so great to finally put this thing (a gold medal) around my neck. I think the race was great. When you cross the line first it means the race was great for you.” said Oliver, as quoted by the IAAF.

Silver medallist Wilson put down his fine showing to the presence of a special someone in the stadium. “I always run great when my mum is in the house,” he explained. “So, I gave my mum a hug – she is here in the stadium. I’m so happy and so excited.”

Russian Shubenkov talked about how running with an uncluttered mind helped him to the podium.

“In the rounds I was trying to focus on my technique to control myself and my rivals,” he explains. “In the final it was just: run. To compete with the home crowds in a home stadium is just amazing.” said the Russian.