Berlin, Aug 20 (DPA) Caster Semenya of South Africa won the 800 metres world title amid confirmation that a gender test was conducted on her to make sure that she was really a woman.

Semenya, 18, ran away from her rivals at the end of the final back straight to win in a world leading 1 minute 55.45 seconds Wednesday.

Defending champion Janeth Jepkosgei of Kenya came second in 1:47.90 and Jennifer Meadows of Britain was third in 1:57.93 minutes.

The IAAF said the federation was conducting a double gender verification test on Semenya, who burst onto the scene a few weeks ago and Wednesday raised her time by eight seconds compared to last year, in South Africa and in Berlin.

'At the moment there is no proof. The benefit of the doubt has to be with the athlete,' said general secretary Pierre Weiss. 'But if at the end it is proven (that she is not a woman) then the medal will be withdrawn.'

Semenya was shielded from the media while Jepkosgei and Meadows did not want to comment properly. But Jepkosgei said 'We competed, she beat us, everyone is surprised by her.'

In other action, Brigitte Foster-Hylton stormed to 100 metres hurdles gold and mighty Usain coasted into the 200m final on a delightful evening for Jamaica.

Robert Harting sent a home crowd into ecstasy when he stole discus gold on his last attempt.

Kenya-born Yusuf Saad Kamel of Bahrain won the 1,500 metres gold in the doping-related absence of compatriot Olympic champion Rashid Ramzi, emulating his father Billy Konchellah who won the race for Kenya in 1987 and 1991.

Foster-Hylton saved the best for the final as she scored a season best 12.51 seconds for victory. She claimed her first major title, completing her set of medals at the worlds after silver in 2003 and bronze in 2005.

Olympic bronze medallist Priscilla Lopes-Schliep of Canada came second in 12.54 and bronze went to Jamaica again, with Delloreen Ennis London on 12.55 seconds. Olympic champion Dawn Harper of the US was no factor in seventh place with 12.81.

Harting, who has caused plenty of controversy with statements on doping, ripped his shirt to threads and shouldered the mascot after getting gold with a personal best 69.