Kirdyapkin stays strong to win 50km walk title

From Tom Oldfield, Sportsbeat, in Berlin

 RUSSIA'S Sergey Kirdyapkin produced a battling performance to claim gold in the 50km walk at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin.

DETERMINATION: Russia's Sergey Kirdyapkin came from behind to win his second world title (Seiko)

Kirdyapkin was dropped by the leaders but summoned the reserves to make back a deficit of over 30 seconds and then surged clear to win his second world title, having also won gold four years in Helsinki.

His time of three hours, 38 minutes and 35 seconds was the quickest in the world this year while Norway's Trond Nymark took silver and Spain's Jesus Angel Garcia completed the podium.

"The last 20km were very hard but I kept the pace, I kept the faith," said Kirdyapkin, after finishing under the shadow of Berlin's famous Bradenburg Gate.

"I kept pushing and always on the offensive, and around the 35th kilometre, I started thinking I had my chance. I was strong today."

After yesterday's searing temperatures, conditions were thankfully cooler for competitors with the occasional light rain shower a welcome relief.

However, 13 athletes - including Ireland's Jamie Costin and Colin Griffin - failed to finish the course while a further three were disqualified for technical infringements.