SEVILLE, Spain -- Gail Devers and Ludmila Engquist, two perfect illustrations of medical miracles, performed some miraculous feats at the World Championships on Saturday night.
The 32-year-old Devers, who has overcome life-threatening Graves' disease, ran the race of her life, winning the 100-meter hurdles title for the third time in 12.37 seconds, the fastest in the world in seven years and an American record.The inspirational Engquist, 35, now in the midst of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, was a fast-closing third in 12.47, her best of a star-crossed year, and just behind the 12.44 of silver medalist Glory Alozie of Nigeria.
The warmth and empathy between Devers and Engquist was evident after the stunningly fast race.
The two hugged and embraced, then took a victory lap together, each stopping to kiss Engquist's husband, Johan.
"When she got across the finish line I just told her, 'I am so proud of you,"' Devers said. "It's amazing. She makes me think of what I had to overcome and what I had to go through. She's already 15,000 miles ahead of where she should be.
"(Her comeback) let everybody know if you are believing in yourself dreams do come true."
For Devers, the dream did come true -- again.
This was her fifth gold medal, the most by any woman ever at the championships. She also has one each in the 100 meters and 400 relay, and will try to extend her record to six in the relay Sunday.
Enquist's performance capped the most remarkable and inspirational story of the championships.
The Russian-born Swede was diagnosed with breast cancer in March. She had her right breast removed on April 21 and returned to competition July 30, winning a race in Stockholm.
Abel Anton of Spain overcame searing heat of 97 degrees at the start and won his second straight world title in 2:13:36, 27 seconds ahead of Italy's Vicenzo Modica.
As Anton entered the stadium for the final lap, he raised his hands and blew kisses to the crowd. The fans responded with chants of "Ole, Ole."
Spain's Martin Fiz, the 1995 champion and runner-up to Anton in 1997, finished eighth in 2:16:17, and South Africa's Gert Thys, the second-fastest marathoner in history, was 15th in 2:17:13.
In Saturday's other finals, Cuba's Ivan Pedroso, the four-time world indoor champion in the men's long jump, won his third outdoor title at 28 feet, 1 inch; Morocco's Salah Hissou set a championship record in winning the men's 5,000 in 12:58.13, and Greece's Mirela Manjani-Tzelili took the women's javelin with a season's best 220-1.
Devers came back later and anchored the U.S. team to victory in the semifinals of the 400 relay in 42.28, the year's fastest time.