Ethiopian teenager Tirunesh Dibaba foiled her more illustrious compatriot Berhane Adere's global double bid by winning the women's 5,000 metres gold today, leaving Sonia O'Sullivan among others trailing in her wake.
The 18-year-old world junior cross country champion caused another major shock at the championships as Adere could only finish 10th in a slow run race.
"These are my first world championships and winning the title is an amazing thing for me," said Dibaba, who is a cousin of twice Olympic 10,000 metres champion Derartu Tulu."Derartu was so supportive of me before the race that I think she will be very proud of me.
Adere won the 10,000 in Paris last Saturday, a race in which defending champion Tulu failed to finish, and was attempting an unparalleled double, with no woman having ever won both events at an Olympic Games or world championships.
Dibaba stole the show, though, producing a telling finish on a thrilling final lap after the field was still bunched at the bell.
Spain's Marta Dominguez, the European champion and 2001 world silver medallist, kicked for home on the final bend, pursued by Kenyan Edith Masai, Russian Yelena Zadorozhnaya and Dibaba.
All four were in contention entering the home straight, but it was Dibaba who swooped late on the outside to win in 14 minutes 51.72 seconds.
Dominguez held on for silver in 14:52.26, while Masai grabbed bronze in 14:52.30.
Romania's Gabriela Szabo, the Olympic and twice world champion, proved a major disappointment, finishing 11th, while Ireland's O'Sullivan, clearly struggling with the heat, tailed off after the halfway point to finish last.
They have now won three gold medals, following Adere and Kenenisa Bekele's victory in the men's 10,000 metres.