World and Olympic champion Maria Mutola of Mozambique ran a well-judged race to win the women's 800 metres and claim her third world title in the race at the Stade de France in Paris on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old queen of the two-lap race, who has dominated the event since 1999, clocked 1:59.89 seconds to finish ahead of her training partner Kelly Holmes of Great Britain, who timed 2:00.18 seconds. Natalya Khrushchelyova of Russia took the bronze in 2:00.29 seconds.

Mutola's timing was, however, much slower than the 1:56.58 seconds she had posted at the Lausanne Grand Prix last month.

Mutola took her first world title in 1993 and won again in Edmonton in 2001. She also won bronze in 1997 and silver in 1999.

World silver medallist Stephanie Graf of Austria pulled out of the race after sustaining a serious cut on her foot following an accident in her room.

Mutola's other rival, Jolanda Ceplak, pulled out injured before the start of the competition.