STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Cuba's Dayron Robles disqualified after winning men's 110m hurdles gold
- Robles was judged to have impeded China's Liu Xiang in closing stages
- Amantle Montsho wins Botswana's first ever medal at world championships
- Oscar Pistorius goes out in the semifinals of men's 400m
(CNN) -- Controversy struck the world athletics championships in Daegu for the second straight day as Cuba's Dayron Robles was disqualified Monday after winning the men's 110m hurdles final.
Robles, defending the title he won in Berlin two years ago, crossed the line first in 13.14 seconds, ahead of American Jason Richardson (13.16) and 2004 Olympic champion Liu Xiang of China (13.24).
But the Cuban was judged to have made contact with Liu to impede him as they came off the final hurdle.
"Robles has been disqualified by the track referee under rule 163.2 for obstruction on the track," said an statement from world governing body, the IAAF.
Cuba launched an appeal against the decision, but it was dismissed, leaving Richardson to take a surprise gold, former world record holder Liu was elevated to silver with Britain's Andy Turner up to bronze.
I'm sure that everybody is more happy than me at home. It's history in Botswana
--Amantle Montsho
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Liu, making a strong comeback after injury ruined his gold medal bid at the Beijing Olympics, had led until the final hurdle, which he clipped, leaving Robles and Richardson to go past him.
The disqualification of Robles came just 24 hours after Jamaica's defending 100m champion Usain Bolt was thrown out for a false start in the final won by compatriot Yohan Blake.
Blog: IAAF should change false start rule
The women's sprint crown went to Carmelita Jeter of the United States in 10.90 seconds ahead of Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown, with Kelly-Ann Baptiste of Trinidad taking third, all three inside the magic 11 seconds mark for the 100m.
In an earlier final, Amantle Montsho claimed Botswana's first ever medal at the world championships as she held off Allyson Felix of the United States to win the women's 400m.
Montsho finished in 49.56 seconds, just 0.03sec ahead of Felix, who had been bidding for a rare 200-400m double in South Korea.
"I'm sure that everybody is more happy than me at home. It's history in Botswana. Everybody behind me back home sent me some letters and comments and that made me stronger," she told AFP.
Double amputee Oscar Pistorius went out in the semifinals of the men's 400m, finishing last in his heat.
The 'Blade Runner' from South Africa recorded 46.19 seconds, only the 22nd best time out of 24 competitors.
LaShawn Merritt of the United States, returning after a drugs ban, was the fastest qualifier with 44.76 seconds.
Japan's Koji Murofushi won gold in the men's hammer throw with a best of 81.24m, while New Zealand's Valerie Adams dominated the women's shot to retain her title.
Britain's Jessica Ennis led the women's heptathlon after the first day as she bids to defend the crown she won in Berlin.
