Phillips Idowu claimed Britain’s second gold medal of the World Championships with a brilliant triple-jump performance here in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.

Idowu, who trains in Birmingham, produced a personal best of 17.73?metres in the triple jump to beat his great rival, Nelson Evora of Portugal, into second place by 18 centimetres.

When asked how he felt to become the first male British world champion since Jonathan Edwards also won the triple jump in 2001 in Edmonton, Idowu said: “I’m king of the world.

“I’ve worked hard and knew I had a big jump in me and I’m just grateful it came out at the right time. I didn’t think 17.73 was going to be enough and I feel like I had more in reserve. Nelson went 17.54 to start but I just felt, ‘I can do that’.

“I came down just a little bit short but after he messed up in the second round, I put in a solid jump and thought, ‘Just run, you’re ready to explode’, and it came together.

“I have to thank my coach, Aston Moore, he’s been there over the last 12 months, through the ups and downs and he’s always told me I’m a great athlete and there’s a lot more to come. Even with a gold medal now, I still believe there’s more in there. I still have the dream of being Olympic champion.”

The 30-year-old Londoner must have feared a repeat of last year’s Olympic final after he trailed Evora by just three centimetres following the opening round. Evora pipped Idowu to gold in Beijing by five centimetres and the 25-year-old laid down a daunting marker here with a leap of 17.54m with the very first jump of the competition.

Idowu instantly responded with 17.51m and followed that up with 17.44m in the second round after Evora’s second effort was a narrow foul. But it was in the third round that Idowu came up with the best jump of his life, soaring five centimetres further than his previous personal best, despite taking off from well behind the board.

Evora improved to 17.55m in the final round, but it was not enough and Idowu could begin the celebrations.

There were no such celebrations for Christine Ohuruogu. She was unable to defend her 400m title as Sanya Richards finally got it right in a major final. Ohuruogu, whose preparations were hit by a hamstring injury, recorded a season’s best of 50.21 seconds in finishing fifth, but was never in contention.

Richards made a more measured start than the one which cost her dear in the Olympic final in Beijing, then powered clear down the home straight to win her first individual major title in 49.00secs, the fastest time in the world this year.

Jamaica’s Shericka Williams took silver in 49.32secs with Russia’s Antonina Krivoshapka third in 49.71secs.

Earlier, the new 100m world champion and world-record holder Usain Bolt breezed into the semi-finals of the 200m, winning his heat comfortably in 20.41secs.

Coventry’s Marlon Devonish, Britain’s sole representative following the earlier withdrawals of Dwain Chambers and Toby Sandeman, also advanced after finishing third in his heat in 20.66secs.