Canada's Perdita Felicien smashed her lifetime best to upset gold medal favourite Brigitte Foster and win the 100 metres hurdles at the World Athletics Championships, at the Stade de France, in Paris on Wednesaday.

The 22-year-old flew out of the blocks to take victory in 12.53 seconds ahead of Foster, who had to settle for silver in 12.57. Bronze went to American Miesha McKelvy in 12.67.

Foster came into the championships with the fastest time this year and her title prospects were enhanced when three-times champion and chief rival Gail Devers failed to reach the final.

But the Jamaican made a slow start and never looked like reeling Felicien in. She fell as she crossed the line, and although appearing unhurt, could only look on as Felicien embarked on a victory lap around the Stade de France.

"I am shocked. My goal was just to run the final and hopefully break the national record," said Felicien, who was second behind Foster at this month's Pan American Games.

"It was great to compete with relatively no pressure on me. I knew I needed a fast start and I practised it a lot. It seems to have paid off.

"I'm not scared of these girls anymore. I hope they are scared of me."

Felicien's time in the final was an improvement of 14 hundredths of a second on her previous best of 12.67 set in Zurich this month.

"I knew I was ahead...I was just going for it hurdle after hurdle, but I still can't believe it," she added.

A deflated Foster, voted Jamaican Sportswoman of 2002, said her defeat was hard to stomach.

"I trained so hard all year that I am really disappointed with the silver."

Potograph: Getty Images