Ohuruogu "inspired"

Ohuruogu only returned to action three weeks ago after serving the ban for missing three out-of-competition drug tests, but put the past firmly behind her to storm to a stunning victory in a lifetime best 49.61 seconds at the Nagai Stadium.

The 23-year-old is currently waiting to see if she can put herself to the ultimate test a next years Olympic Games in Beijing as the British Olympic Association hands an automatic life ban to any athlete who has committed a doping offence - a ruling she is appealing.

Ohuruogu has never failed a drugs test, but the fact that she missed a third and final test in August 2006 after being warned for missing tests in October 2005 brought criticisms that she should not have been in Osaka to become Great Britain's first female track World Champion in 14 years.

"Just because people write something it does not mean they know what they are talking about, they don't see you working everyday and they don't see what you put yourself through," said Ohuruogu, who will wipe out her legal fees incurred during her fight to clear her name with the prize money collected in the Far East.

"People can write what they like, but I know what I do and I know the goals that I set myself so I am pleased that I can walk off the track with my head held high because I know how hard I have worked for this despite what everybody has said. I could have easily said that I can't do it and I shouldn't be here and I am not going to achieve the goals I set myself, but I completely ignored that."

In Wednesday's final at a sparsely populated Nagai Stadium, Ohuruogu ate up an early lead taken by Novlene Williams to power down the home straight ahead of team-mate Nicola Sanders and the Jamaican.

Ohuruogu, who is now unbeaten is her five races since returning from her spell on the sidelines, looked out of contention heading down the back straight but surged home to edge out her compatriot and Williams in a tight finish which was only confirmed following a tense delay.

She said: "I work better when I am being challenged and that is reflected in my race because I like to push myself and as this was a final I had to make that charge.

"I only really work when I am really being pushed and I think all the negativity just spurred me on and it is nice to say to people that they got it wrong. I am very proud, that despite all that, I kept my head down and with so many things against me. This time last year I didn't know what I was doing I didn't know if I was going to continue training so I am glad that I have done this.

"My aim was always to make the final and I am glad that I kept working and managed to achieve my goal, which was something I set very early on."

The performance of Ohuruogu and European Indoor champion Sanders, who also set a personal best in the final, in Osaka ensured Great Britain reached the pre-Championship target set by UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins of three medals, while the team are also on course to reach the target of 14 finalists, which currently stands at 12.

Ohuruogu said: "It is good for 400 metres running in Britain, me and Nicola have raised the stakes and it is up to others to follow suit.

"It will also hopefully raise the standard in track and field in general."