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Blowing kisses to the crowd, Marion Jones forgot the disappointment of losing her world 100 metres title, and was in a celebratory mood after winning her first World Championships 200m gold medal.

Olympic champion Jones showed no loss of confidence following her defeat to Zhanna Pintusevich-Block of the Ukraine in the 100m - the biggest upset of the championships.

Jones, in lane five, may have been the slowest starter, but the long legs of the American quickly propelled her to the front of the field. On the crown of the bend she hit the front and was never headed.

Indeed, it turned out to be a low key, one-horse race, as the American hit the finishing tape in 22.39 seconds. Runner-up Debbie Ferguson, who anchored the Bahamas to a 4x100m relay medal at the Olympics, was a metre down in 22.52secs, while third place went to US sprinter Kelli White (22.56).

Jones said she was "overwhelmed" by the victory - her first at 200m at the World Championships.

"It was definitely not a gimme. Those girls made me work for this title," said Jones.

"I've finally got the medal which I've wanted since my career started in 1997. That makes it that much more special.

"I was disappointed after the 100m. It was important for me to come out and prove to myself that I can still get across that finish line first."

Jones added she had been tiring towards the end of the race and after a good start was hanging on at the finsihing line.

Answering a question about why she was no longer winning races by such wide nmargins, Jones responded: "I think the past few years I've really spoiled a lot of people, winning by a few metres here and there.

"It seems like I can't win. I want so much focus to be put on winning the race, not by how many metres."