Now Idowu earns the ultimate bling accessory - a world gold

 PHILLIPS Idowu is a big fan of bling, only darts players compete adorned with more jewelry, but now he has the ultimate accessory and it's one that money can't buy.

RED LETTER DAY: Phillips Idowu wrapped himself in the Union flag as he celebrates winning the triple jump world title in Berlin

However, rarely has an athlete suited gold more than Idowu, the colour even matches his teeth.

With his knee high socks and Bjorn Borg headband, he won't win any fashion prizes but the 30-year old hopped, skipped and jumped his way the world triple jump title thanks to a third round leap of 17.73 metre at Berlin's Olympiastadion.

Last year Portugal's Nelson Evora beat him by just five agonising centimetres to claim the Olympic title, a fraction that left Idowu devastated.

Twelve months on and he reversed that loss in style, beating his seven-year old personal best with a soaring leap that his rivals failed to raise. Cuba's Alexis Copello completed the podium.

And if revenge is a dish best served cold, then Idowu forced double helpings to his rival Evora, winning by a clear 18-centimetre margin.

If he'd nailed his take-off, he could have even got near the mythical 18-metre mark - he was 19cm behind the board on his winning jump.

To his credit the classy Evora was magnanimous in defeat, just as Idowu had been last year.

And while the Londoner wildly celebrated with the crowd, the Portuguese Olympic champion slowly and quietly filled a water bottle with sand for his collection.

Caught in a moment, it summed up the stark difference between victory and defeat.

"I've worked so hard and I knew I had a big jump in me, it's just so great to get a personal best," said Idowu.

"I just broke down into tears, it was really emotional. I went down on one knee and said a little prayer to God for putting me on top.

"It's a good day, man. I feel like the king of the world but it's been a long time coming."

But Idowu won't be putting his new gold medal alongside his silver from the Bird's Nest.

"What happened last year? I don't even know where my silver medal is from Beijing, whether it's in London or Birmingham," he added.

"Once we entered 2009, Beijing was done as far as I was concerned. I had to move forward and I barely think about it - only when I'm talking to the media."

Idowu might appear to be both colourful and confident but he admitted to moments of self-doubt in the build-up to his final.

However, he finally delivered when it mattered most - becoming the British man to win a field event world title since Jonathan Edwards took triple jump gold in Gothenburg 14 years ago.

“I'll admit I was nervous and I was having some crazy dreams last night,” he added.

“But I woke up this morning and I just thought to myself, ‘go out there and do it'.

“I saw that it was bad weather and I thought ‘I've been performing in bad weather all year so this is going to be my day.'”

Idowu's victory is Britain's second medal, indeed second gold, of a championships that had originally promised little return.

Elsewhere, Christine Ohuruogu failed to defend her 400m title as Sanya Richards romped to a victory you can't argue she didn't deserve.

Despite what she said, Ohuruogu's preparations left her just short.

"Hopefully the rest of the team can be inspired by this," said Idowu.

"I know I was inspired by watching Jess Ennis win her gold, I thought ‘I want one of them' and now I have."

However, looking ahead future medal prospects seem shaky.

Paula Radcliffe should declare tomorrow whether she will be fit for Sunday's marathon, putting a lot of pressure on the relay teams if the target of five podium places is going to be achieved.

A little downbeat note to end an upbeat night.