DAEGU, South Korea - Usain Bolt again did the unbelievable when it mattered most in the 100 meters.

This time, no gold medal or world record, but a false start and straight elimination from the world championships in a race he has regally reigned over for three years.

In a stunning few seconds, Bolt's showboating turned into real-life despair when he jumped the gun and was led away from the track before Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake won gold ahead of Walter Dix of the US.

"Looking for tears?" Bolt asked. "Not going to happen. I'm OK."

While everyone had been wondering what Bolt would do to his world record of 9.58 seconds, it was Blake who won his first 100 title with a slow time of 9.92, the only racer to break 10 seconds in the final.

Dix took silver in 10.08 and Kim Collins of Saint Kitts and Nevis was third in 10.09.

"I didn't really think they were going to kick him out," Dix said. "How can you kick Usain out of the race?"

Even as the final went ahead, Bolt was the center of attention, and for once in his golden career he was not play-acting. Instead of beating the clock, he beat the starting gun.

Three steps into in his race after the starting gun, Bolt's face turned into a primal scream. And in one instinctive move he started pulling off his Jamaica shirt, needing no one to tell him he had made the biggest error in his career.

He was shown the red card and led to the sideline.

He gritted his teeth in self disgust, and threw up his arms in desperation. Hands over his head, he walked away before slamming the blue stadium wall.

Earlier in the day, Oscar Pistorius made history by becoming the first amputee athlete to compete in world championships history.

The South African, known as "Blade Runner" because he runs with carbon fibre prosthetic running blades, came in third in his 400m heat in 45.39sec, qualifying him for Monday's semifinal, with a dream final scheduled for Tuesday.

Associated Press