BOLT SMASHES OWN WORLD RECORD IN SENSATIONAL WIN.

USAIN Bolt last night broke his own world record with another sensational performance to win the 100 metres at the World Championships in Berlin.

The triple Olympic champion stormed to victory in Berlin's Olympic Stadium in 9.58 seconds, comfortably beating the mark of 9.69secs set in Beijing last year.

Defending champion Tyson Gay set an American record of 9.71 to claim the silver with former world record holder Asafa Powell third in 9.84. Britain's Dwain Chambers was sixth in 10.00, a season's best for the 31-yearold.

In the semi-finals, Bolt had shrugged off two false starts - the second of which saw Britain's Tyrone Edgar disqualified - to breeze into the final.

Bolt was guilty of the first false start, which meant any athlete guilty of another would be disqualified.

But after Edgar had committed that second misdemeanour and left the track, Bolt was quickly out of his blocks and almost as quickly began easing down to a brilliant time of 9.89.

That indicated something special was on the cards and the Jamaican superstar duly delivered, powering out of the blocks at the first time of asking in the final and seizing control of the race within 30m.

From there it was only a matter of the time and the large crowd exploded as Bolt streaked across the line to create another piece of sporting history. Bolt's coach Glen Mills had predicted after the Olympics that his protege could run 9.54 and was so nearly proved spot on.

Unlike Beijing, this time Bolt's shoelaces remained tied and there was no celebrating with arms outstretched metres from the line. Instead, the 22year-old had to content himself with a couple of glances from side to side as he approached the line, before staring intently at the clock as he waited for the time to register.

"I was feeling good after the semis. I knew it was going to be a great race and I executed it," Bolt said. "It's a great time, a great feeling, I feel good in myself and I knew I could do it.

"There was a big build up, great atmosphere. It wasn't going to be an easy race but I had a perfect start and just went from there. I came out here to do my best and I did what I had to do." Gay, who ran the third fastest time ever and was still comfortably beaten, said: "I ran the best I could. I just wanted to give my best tonight, it wasn't enough but I'm happy to have the national record.

"I knew I had to put out a championship performance. I gave it my best and that's all I could do."

Powell, who has been struggling with an ankle injury this season, added: "I was relaxed before the race. A lot of things have happened this year but to come back and get third place, I'm very happy."

Chambers, who had only finished second behind Simeon Williamson in the trials last month, saw his "Project Bolt" come to nothing but could have reason to be pleased with his performance at the age of 31.

"It doesn't get any easier when you get older but it's all worth it," he said.

CAPTION(S):

RECORD-BREAKER Usain Bolt crosses the line to win the 100m world title, lowering his world record in the process and leaving his rivals - including Britain's Dwain Chambers, left - trailing in his wake.