Barber grabs gold on home soil

Pictures from Paris

France's Eunice Barber produced a massive final leap to clinch the women's long jump title at the World Championships in Paris.

The 28-year-old soared to 6.99m at her sixth attempt to claim the gold medal and send the packed Stade de France crowd into hysterics.

Russia's Tatyana Kotova, who produced the best series of jumps in the event, was left with the silver medal, while India's Anju Bobby George took bronze.

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Barber's triumph saw her add to her silver heptathlon medal from this year and her world gold from 1999.

"I told myself I can do this," Barber said.

The Sierra Leone-born athlete had led the competition with 6.74m but that was equalled by Kotova, who then edged in to the lead on the countback rule.

But the Russian could only stand back and watch as Barber stole the gold with a superior final effort.

Britain's Jade Johnson produced some solid leaps and her best effort of 6.63m lifted her into third place before it was bettered by George.

Defending champion Fiona May finished a disappointing ninth place after failing to qualify for the final three jumps.

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1. Eunice Barber (FRA) 6.99 m
2. Tatyana Kotova (RUS) 6.74
3. Anju Bobby George (IND) 6.70
4. Jade Johnson (GBR) 6.63
5. Olga Rublyova (RUS) 6.58
6. Tunde Vaszi (HUN) 6.53
7. Bronwyn Thompson (AUS) 6.48
8. Grace Upshaw (USA) 6.47
9. Fiona May (ITA) 6.46
10. Lyudmila Galkina (RUS) 6.45
11. Valentina Gotovska (LAT) 6.43
12. Concepcion Montaner (SPA) 6.37