Rank outsider Giuseppe Gibilisco of Italy surprised a strong field to win the men's pole vault at the World Athletics Championships, at the Stade de France, in Paris on Thursday.

With a vault of 5.90 metres, the 24-year-old added eight centimetres to his personal best of 5.82m to post a new Italian record and take the gold.

With European champion Alex Averbukh of Israel, who was second on the world list for 2003 after clearing 5.93 metres, not qualifying for the final, much was expected from World Cup winner Okkert Brits of South Africa, but he could only finish second, clearing 5.85 metres.

Patrik Kristiansson of Sweden, also with 5.85 metres, took bronze.

Defending champion Dmitri Markov of Australia also cleared 5.85 metres, but on his third attempt, and lost out on a medal on countback.

Gibilisco, whose best achievement was a silver at the Mediterranean Games in 2001, was the only vaulter in a field of 11 to clear 5.90 metres. He started with a clearance of 5.60 metres and then after failing to clear 5.75m twice, went over the bar at 5.80 and 5.85 at first attempt before making his winning vault, also at first attempt.

Photograph: Getty Images