By Andy Schooler, Sportinglife.com

Nezha Bidouane of Morocco stormed to victory in the final of the women's 400m hurdles.

Bidoaune stuck to her plan as she was attacked by Yuliya Nosova on her outside and defending champ Daimi Pernia on her inside.

Those two went out too hard as it turned out as, having led round the top bend, they both faded as Bidoaune finished strongly in the home straight and clocked the fastest time in the world this year of 53.34.

Nosova finished second in 54.27 and Pernia held on to take bronze in 54.51.

For Bidouane, it was a case of regaining the title she had won in Athens in 1997.

She said: "I have been waiting for this moment ever since I lost to Pernia in Seville.

"I just followed the tactics my coach told me to do. That was to start slowly and accelerate towards the end.”

Silver medallist Nosova revealed she had been ill in the run-up to the race.

"I have been sick for the past two days with a cold. After winning the silver medal, however, I am feeling a lot better all of a sudden.

"Had I not been sick, I still could not have won it. I do not think I could run 53.3 now."