Volkova storms to steeplechase gold

Russia's Yekaterina Volkova stormed to the world title in the women's 3,000 metres steeplechase on Monday, going one better than in 2005.

Volkova looked up at the giant stadium screen and punched the air in delight as she came down the home straight to clock a world championship record nine minutes 6.57 seconds, with fellow Russian Tatyana Petrova taking silver in 9:09.19.

''I knew 600 metres before the finish I will win,'' Volkova told reporters. ''This victory is for my three-year-old son Daniel. He is already trying to call me now for sure.'' It could have ended in embarrassment for Volkova, who almost fell after catching the curb entering the final straight while gazing up at the screen.

But Volkova stayed on her feet and had words of comfort for Olympic champion Gulnara Samitova-Galkina, who trailed home in seventh in 9:30.24 -- way outside her world record of 9:01.59.

''To think about world records is something for Gulnara,'' smiled Volkova. ''Actually this was supposed to be her race today. I qualified also for the 5,000 metres but now I'm not sure I will run. It would be too much.'' Kenyan Eunice Jepkorir, who had won five of her previous six steeplechases this year, settled for the bronze after fading over the second half of the race.

Uganda's 2005 gold medallist Dorcus Inzikuru did not travel to the world championships because she is pregnant.