Panama's Irving Saladino grabbed long-jump gold with the very last leap of the competition at the World Championships.

Saladino had led from the third round with his effort of 8.46m but the final round brought all sorts of drama.

European champion Andrew Howe, of Italy, snatched the lead by 1cm with his final leap of 8.47 and celebrated what he thought would be gold.

But Paladino saved his best until last, soaring out to 8.57 for victory and the title.

Afterwards Paladino said: "I was sure to win the gold medal until Andrew Howe did his last jump.

"Then, my coach advised me to go back one step in my run-up. Before my last jump I told myself 'You are the best in the world, so go for the gold medal. You have to outdo yourself in this jump for the gold.' And this is what I did - I gave my best, I came out very strong and I got it."

The late drama means the final will go down as one of the most memorable in championship history - just as the event had done when it was last held in Japan in 1991.

That occasion saw Carl Lewis push Mike Powell to a world record of 8.95m on one of athletics' great nights.

American Dwight Phillips, the two-time defending champion, leapt out to 8.30m in the first round but could not improve on that and had to settle for bronze.