The 110m hurdles title quest of Cuban Dayron Robles, by contrast, ended when he limped off in the semis. The world record holder and Olympic champion from Cuba got over two hurdles before the pain denied him to go on.

However, Robles was in good company as holder Brad Walker did not show up for pole vault qualifying due to hip problems and British world record holder Paula Radcliffe withdrew from Sunday's marathon because she is not 100 per cent in the wake of foot surgery.

In addition, Olympic pole vault champ Steve Hooker said he may not be competing in the final over hamstring problems despite qualifying with just one jump.

Kenenisa Bekele took a another step towards a first ever long distance double at the worlds when he won his 5,000m heat in 13:19.77 minutes. Bekele got an Olympic double last year and on Monday won a fourth straight 10,000m world title.

American holder Bernard Lagat also advanced and so did ex-world champion Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya.

Two-time defending champion Allyson Felix of the US looked poised to break the Jamaican sprint dominance when she coasted to a 200m semi-final victory in 22.44 seconds. Compatriot Muna Lee also looked with her race win in 22.30.

Jamaican Olympic champion Veronica Campbell had 22.29 seconds with upset-minded Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie of the Bahamas winning that heat in 22.24 seconds into Friday's final.

Former tow-time world champion Dwight Phillips of the US led long jump qualifying with 8.44m, with world and Olympic champion Irving Saladino of Panama also through with 8.16m.