Greene wins world athletics gold

Greene won European gold in 2010

Welshman Dai Greene masterfully hauled back Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson to win Britain’s first gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Daegu.

The 25-year-old had to endure two aborted starts to Thursday’s 400m hurdles final but kept his cool to win in a time of 48.26 seconds.

“I was really working hard into the last hurdle and had so much momentum,” Greene told Channel 4.

Hannah England earlier swept through the field from seventh to second place as she won silver in the women’s 1500m.

England, 24, looked out of the reckoning until the final straight before a spectacular kick pushed her from seventh place to second.

America’s Jennifer Barringer Simpson won gold in a time of four minutes 5.40 seconds, ahead of England’s 4:05.68.

“I was so excited, I felt like there was nothing to lose. I felt so calm in the last 200m,” England told Channel 4.

Greene added: “I saw Hannah England’s performance and saw her running around with the flag, and thought I had to get a piece of that action.

“I’ve been working so hard for this for a number of years. I always believed I could make it but I had to dig deep to pull it out.

“I do get a bit nervous but I seem to be able to handle it better than the rest. I’m really relieved and really proud.”

More to follow.