Maria Arzamasova from Belarus wins gold at women's 800m

Maria Arzamasova from Belarus clocked 1:58.03 to win the women's 800m gold medal at the world athletics championships here on Saturday.

It was the first gold and the second medal for Belarus at the 2015 Beijing Worlds, and the first World Championships medal for Arzamasova in her racing career.

"I dreamed about the gold medal at World Championships all my life and now I have this medal," said the 27-year-old veteran after the competition.

Arzamasova clocked the fastest first-round time in the history of the World Championships in the semifinal. She kept her pace on Saturday in the first lap, and moved front of the group in the second. Defending champion Eunice Jepkoech Sum from Kenya tried hard to overtake her, but Arzamasova was fast enough to maintain the advantage.

"It was a good race, not so fast and I was ready from beginning to the finish," Arzamasova said.

"I knew all girls can finish strong, so I decided to start it on the last 200m."

Arzamosova had competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics and ended her trip without reaching the final. She won a bronze medal at the 2013 European Athletics Indoor Championships. In August 2014, she gained the title at 2014 European Athletics Championships.

"I have prepared all year for the World Championships," said Arzamasova.

"I believe in myself and dreamed about it. I think from tomorrow on I will start preparing for the Olympic Games in Rio."

Canada's Melissa Bishop claimed silver in 1:58.12, 0.06 seconds ahead of third-placed Eunice Jepkoech Sum.

"I am very pleased with the result," said Bishop, who also picked up her first world title in Beijing.

"I set a new Canadian record last night and came back tonight with a silver medal."

"Even after the semifinal I did not feel very well," said Sum, who had been considered as the top favorite to win Saturday's race. "I don't know exactly what was going on."

"I thank God I was in the final and this bronze will move me forward to the Olympic season." Enditem