Competing in what is considered his weaker event at a sunny QE II Stadium, the 34-year-old double leg amputee from Nottingham got off to a slow start but accelerated down the final straight to storm pass the rest of the field and claim gold in a new Championship Record of 25.88sec.

France's Clavel Kayitare finished a distant second in 26.54 while Atsushi Yamamoto of Japan picked up bronze in 26.92 seconds.

Whitehead told insideworldparasport: "It feels amazing to be the world champion.

"I'm so happy that I've showed that Richard Whitehead is the man over 200 metres.

"I was the underdog going into the event but now people at this distance are going to take note of who I am."

Regarding the marathon event here for the T11, T12, T46 and T54 disability classes, Whitehead admitted he is still hopeful of competing despite the IPC stating that at things stand, the T42 star is ineligible to compete in it.

He said: "I am thankful to represent GB and if another opportunity comes around to compete in the marathon, I will happily take it.

"But it is out of my hands.

"I just want to soak up this victory and I am delighted as this has allowed me to move a step closer to competing at the London 2012 Paralympics which is the ultimate goal for me."

It marked a great day for Britain in which the team picked up two golds, a silver and two bronzes.

Hannah Cockcroft claimed Britain's second gold of the day when the 18-year-old from Halifax won the 100m in a Championship record of 18.98 to beat silver medallist Haruka Kitaura of Japan in 22.55 and Kristen Messer of the USA who picked up bronze in 22.99.

Cockcroft said: "This is a fantastic event to be part of and it is an amazing feeling to be a world champion.

"It was a great race for me and I felt like I dominated the competition."

Earlier in the day, Beijing 100m T36 silver medallist Ben Rushgrove raced to World Championships silver in a European record of 12.25.

The 22-year-old Bath-based athlete was beaten to gold by Hong Kong's world record holder and defending champion So Wa Wai (pictured) in 12.17 while Ukraine's Roman Pavlyk finished third in 12.26 but Rushgrove admitted he was delighted to be in New Zealand.

He said: "I love this whole experience, I love coming away with the team and the nitty gritty of just getting down and dirty with it.

"I woke up at 6am and I knew I really wanted it today; I came out and gave it my best shot and to get a PB was brilliant.

"It went right down to the line because the guys got such a great start.

"Maybe the pressure got to me a bit, but that's what major Championships are all about; there's no greater occasion."

Stefanie Reid picked up bronze for Britain in the F44/46 long jump final with an effort of 4.98 metres.

Nikol Rodomakina claimed gold in a Championship record of 5.67m while Carlee Beattie of Australia took silver with a jump of 5.55 to finish ahead of the 26-year-old Reid, who was actually born in New Zealand but competes for Britain.

Meanwhile, Hazel Robson, Bethy Woodward, Katrina Hart, and Jenny McLoughlin took an excellent bronze in the women's T35-38 4x100m relay final in 58.33.

Ukraine finished first in a world record of 55.07 while Russia picked up the silver in 55.70.

McLoughlin, bitterly disappointed to fall in the late stages of yesterday's T36 200m, was delighted to bring the baton home.

The 19-year-old from Chepstow said: "I really wanted to prove something.

"When I got back last night I was desperate to get back out there and do well for the team.

"I'm pleased with that and it's given me great confidence going into the 100m."

There was also good news for the team as Britain's David Weir, who won gold in yesterday's 800m T54 final, qualified for the final of the men's 5,000 T54 race.

The 31-year-old Londoner made it through as second fastest behind big rival Marcel Hug of Switzerland while in the women's 800m T54, Blackpool's 24-year-old Shelly Woods and Middlesbrough's 15-year-old Jade Jones easily qualified for their final.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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