Torri Edwards (right) of the United States looks at the scoreboard next to Jamaica's Veronica Campbell, after winning the women's 4x100 metres relay final yesterday. Jamaica claimed silver in 42.01. - Reuters

OSAKA, Japan, (Reuters):

BRAD WALKER of the United States beat Romain Mesnil of France on a countback to win the men's pole vault at the World Championships yesterday.

Both men vaulted 5.86 metres but Walker was awarded thegold because he cleared th at his first attempt while Mesnil needed two goes.

Danny Ecker of Germany won the bronze, also on countback, after six men finished level on 5.81.

Walker, 26, finished second behind Rens Bloms of the Netherlands at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki but went one better this time to become the first American man to win the title.

"I think the competition was a phenomenal competition," Walker said. "We had eight jumpers who jumped 5.81 (or higher) which is just great."

Walker, who won the world title in Moscow last year after recovering from a nasty fall in practice, said his ability to clear hi at each of his first attempts was the key to his victory.

"I think that kind of took the wind out of the other people's sails," Walker said.

Meanwhile, Australia's world record holder Nathan Deakes came through the longest and most gruelling contest of the World Championships to win gold in the men's 50km walk.

Drenched in sweat and the contents of the many bottles of water he had poured over his head in an attempt to keep cool, the 30-year-old crossed the line at the Nagai Stadium after three hours, 43 minutes and 53 seconds.

On the verge of tears

The Commonwealth champion looked on the verge of tears as he approached the finish but just found the energy to salute the crowd with a thumbs up before breaking the tape and burying his head in his hands.

"I will remember forever the feeling when I came into the stadium and it was clear I was the champion," Deakes said. "It was quite emotional.

"It's a great feeling," he said. "Records are to be broken but nobody can take the world champion title away from you."

European champion Yohan Diniz of France was second nearly half a minute behind Deakes in 3:44.22, while a disappointed Italian Alex Schwazer finished in 3:44.38 to win the bronze medal as he did two years ago in Helsinki.