Azerbaijani-born Turk wins 200m gold medal

CAIRO - 11 August 2017: Azerbaijani-born Turkish runner Ramil Guliyev surprised the world on Thursday by winning the 200-meter gold medal in the IAAF World Championships in Athletics being held in London.

Guliyev clocked 20.09 seconds to finish the race at the top, while South African runner Wayde Van Niekerk clocked 20.11 seconds to win the silver medal. Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago won the bronze medal.

“I have shown my best throughout this competition. I delivered my best race at the right time. I'm so happy to be world champion. This is the best moment of my career,” Guliyev told reporters after winning the gold medal.

Guliyev, 27 years old, added, “I was competing against some of the best athletes in the world, so it didn't bother me that the attention was on them. Maybe at the next competition, everyone will look at me instead.”

Guliyev was ecstatic after winning the race, completing a lap of honor while carrying both Azerbaijani and Turkish flags.

Guliyev started representing Turkey after switching allegiance from Azerbaijan.

London is hosting the IAAF World Championships in Athletics from August 4-13.