Felix, Semenya sign off on a high

Allyson Felix and Caster Semenya lit up the track to bring the curtain down on the World Athletics Championships in great style on Sunday.

However, not for the first time, but certainly the last as an athlete, Usain Bolt stole the show.

Retiring superstar Bolt put on one last appearance, the 100M and 200M world record-holder accorded a lap of honour in front of the 60,000 spectators who stayed on after the finals were over.

On the track, Felix ran a stunning leg in 48.7seconds in the women's 4x400 metres relay to set the United States up for an easy victory and take her record world medals tally to 16, two ahead of retired Jamaican duo Merlene Ottey and Bolt.

"It does mean so much to me every time," Felix said when asked whether medals motivated her. "I love this sport. I'm grateful to run with these amazing girls. They work so hard and deserve all their success.

"It's an honour to run in the relay for Team USA and I will always treasure these moments."

South African star Semenya, who seems to block out all the debate about whether she should be running or not, added a third 800M crown to her tally to put her alongside another African great Maria Mutola as the only women to have won the title three times.

Semenya, who clocked 1:55.16, hinted that it would now be time to tackle the world record of 1:53.28 set by Jarmila Kratochvilova back in 1983.

"We need to clear 1:55 first and it will require a lot of hard training. I have Olympic, world and Commonwealth titles now so maybe it is time to target the world record," said Semenya, whose last defeat in the event dates back to 2015.

"It's the next thing on the list. I know it will be difficult but I will have to attempt soon, maybe."

Kenya enjoyed a successful final blast with Hellen Obiri comprehensively denying Alamaz Ayana a double gold as the 27-year-old Kenyan burnt the 10,000M champion for pace down the back straight of the final lap to ease to the 5,000M title in 14:34.86.

Her compatriot Elijah Manangoi led home a 1-2 in the 1500M to turn his silver from 2015 into gold this time round but defending champion Asbel Kiprop never looked like winning a fourth successive title and finished down the field in ninth. The 24-year-old Manangoi timed 3:33.61, finishing ahead of Timothy Cheruiyot.

Barshim triumphs

Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim secured the global high jump title his talent has promised for so long when he completed a faultless series, culminating in a winning leap of 2.35 metres.

The Qatari, whose 2.43m best is the second-highest in history after Cuban Javier Sotomayor's 2.45 set 24 years ago, has won silver and bronze at the last two Olympics and silver in the 2013 World Championships.

But he was a class apart on Sunday, having qualified without a fail he went through the final never looking remotely close to dislodging the bar as he flexed his body into biology-defying shapes.

Russian Danil Lysenko, competing as a neutral athlete, took silver with 2.32m while Majd Eddin Ghazal of Syria had the best record of three men who cleared 2.29 to take bronze - his country's first world championship medal for a man.

"My first big world championships gold and I was so determined to win it," Barshim said. "I was expecting it tonight so I am glad I managed to fulfil my target."

The Americans may have dominated the 10-day competition but there was to be no final flourish as Trinidad and Tobago's men's 4x400M relay team ran superbly to take the gold and bring the curtain down on a championships that never failed to surprise.

Agencies

Results:

Men: 1500M: Elijah Manangoi (KEN) 3:33.61, 1; Timothy Cheruiyot (KEN), 3:33.99, 2; Filip Ingebrigtsen (NOR) 3:34.53, 3.

4x400M relay: Trinidad and Tobago 2:58.12, 1; United States 2:58.61, 2; Britain 2:59.00, 3.

High jump:Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT) 2.35 metres, 1; Danil Lysenko (ANA - neutral) 2.32, 2; Majd Eddin Ghazal (SYR) 2.29, 3.

Women: 800M: Caster Semenya (RSA) 1:55.16, 1; Francine Niyonsaba (BDI) 1:55.92, 2; Ajee Wilson (USA) 1:56.65, 3.

Discus: Sandra Perkovic (CRO) 70.31 metres, 1; Dani Stevens (AUS) 69.64, 2; Melina Robert-Michon (FRA) 66.21, 3.

4x400M relay: United States 3:19.02, 1; Britain 3:25.00, 2; Poland 3:25.41, 3.