OSAKA, Japan (AP) — For at least five agonizing minutes after their race, Veronica Campbell and Lauryn Williams waited and wondered which of them was the world 100-meter champion.
To make things worse, the big scoreboard at Nagai Stadium listed various and inaccurate results. Finally, after a study of the photo finish, the decision went to the Jamaican Campbell by a hair over the defending champion from America.
"It was a very close race, a very good race," Campbell said. "I'm just overwhelmed right now. I know I had a really good finish. It was so close that I wasn't really sure."
Both were clocked in 11.01 seconds Monday night in the final event of Day 3 of the world track and field championships.
"I think I shouldn't have leaned so early and maybe would have had a definite win," Williams said. "But coulda, woulda, shoulda doesn't matter. I put my heart out there and I'm not at all upset about what I did."
Carmelita Jeter of the United States was third in a personal-best 11.02. American Torri Edwards, a pre-race favorite, was fourth in 11.05.
There was talk of a U.S. protest, but none was filed.
Craig Masback, chief executive officer of USA Track & Field, said U.S. officials reviewed the tape with the International Association of Athletics Federations and decided "there was no basis to challenge the outcome."
"The experts have a way of figuring it out and I'm sure they put their best foot forward and made sure no one got cheated," said Williams, the Olympic silver medalist who was happy just to run a strong race after two years of injuries and sub-par performances.
Campbell, who competed at Arkansas, brought a second gold for coach Lance Brauman, who is expected to be released from a U.S. prison this week. Brauman also coaches Tyson Gay, winner of the men's 100 Sunday night.
"He should be very proud," Campbell said.
Brauman was imprisoned for mail fraud and embezzlement for mishandling scholarships for athletes at Barton Community College in Kansas. In his absence, his athletes followed workout books he had given them.
Williams, a 5-foot-2 dynamo who once said "I may be small but I've got a big personality," was obviously relaxed before the race. A television camera caught her lying on her back reading a book in the infield grass of the warm-up track.
Asked later what she was reading, she said it was about leadership by "that Chrysler guy." The book was "Where Have All the Leaders Gone?" by former Chrsyler head Lee Iacocca.
What followed was her best performance since winning the 100 at the worlds in Helsinki in 2005.
"I think it's a huge mental victory for her," said her coach Amy Deem, who also is head coach of the U.S. women's team in Osaka. "I think it's been in there for a while, but I think she's been trying to make it happen instead of letting it happen."
Edwards, who became the 2003 world champion after Kelli White was banned for a doping violation, was this year's U.S. 100 champion and had looked strong through the preliminary rounds in Osaka. She was never a serious threat in the final, although she was incorrectly listed as the winner in the confusing aftermath of the race.
Jeter's medal was a surprise.
"When I saw the photo, I took it as Veronica, Lauryn and someone else. I didn't think I was in it at all," she said. "You don't know because when you watch the photo, you can't really tell. An ear, a nose, a chin can get you that third or second."
Defending champion Walter Davis, bothered by injuries since the U.S. meet, managed a bronze in the triple jump. The three medals Monday boosted the U.S. total to seven — two gold, two silver and three bronze.
Portugal's Nelson Evora won the triple jump at 58 feet, 2 1/2 inches. Jadel Gregorio of Brazil was second at 57-8 1/2, followed by Davis' 56-10 1/4.
Kenenisa Bekele earned his third straight world 10,000 title, sprinting away from fellow Ethiopian Sileshi Sihine in the final 100 meters to win in 27 minutes, 5.90 seconds. Bekele also is entered in the 5,000. He is the world record holder in both events.
"It's not easy to win a third time in a world championship," Bekele said. "I'm very happy."
Russia had a 1-2 finish in the women's steeplechase. Yekaterina Volkova won in a meet record 9:06.57, with Tatyana Petrova second.
The United States placed two, Alan Webb and Bernard Lagat, in Wednesday night's 1,500-meter finals.
Lagat won his heat comfortably, but Webb, who has the world's fastest time in the event this year, had to scramble for a fifth-place finish in his heat. Because it was the fastest of the three heats, Webb advanced. Webb languished behind the pack before mounting a late kick.
"I wasn't aggressive enough," he said. "It almost cost me a spot in the final. That's why you don't do that."