Reuters - Russian Olympic champion Valeriy Borchin claimed the first gold medal of the world athletics championships when he won the men's 20km walk on Saturday.

Borchin clocked one hour, 18 minutes and 41 seconds over a scenic route through the German capital.

China 's Hao Wang finished second in 1:19.06 with fast-closing Eder Sanchez of Mexico the bronze medallist in 1:19.22.

Borchin, the youngest Olympic walk champion at 22, assumed the lead between 10 and 15 km and gradually pulled away for the victory at the Brandenburg Gate.

He ended the reign of three-time world champion Jefferson Perez of Ecuador who retired after finishing second to Borchin in Beijing.