Phyllis Francis shocks Allyson Felix, Shaunae Miller-Uibo for world 400m gold at IAAF World Championships

Phyllis Francis ripped up the form book to claim a shock gold in the women's 400m at the IAAF World Championships.

Phyllis Francis celebrates after winning the gold medal in the women's 400-meter final during the World Athletics Championships in London. | AP

LONDON: American Phyllis Francis ripped up the form book to claim a shock gold in the women's 400m at the IAAF World Championships on Wednesday.

The race had been billed as a straight duel between multi-medalled American Allyson Felix, the defending champion, and Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo.

But clear leader Miller-Uibo tied up in shocking fashion with 20 metres to run to allow hard-charging Francis, 25, win with a personal best of 49.92 seconds.

Bahrain teenager Salwa Eid Naser claimed silver in a national record of 50.06, with Felix taking bronze, just 0.02sec adrift, as Miller-Uibo went from first to fourth in the final strides.