HELSINKI, Finland -- Olympic silver medalist and Azusa Pacific alum Bryan Clay held off rival Roman Sebrle down the stretch to capture the gold medal in the decathlon at the IAAF World Track & Field Championships today.

Clay tallied a world season best 8,732 points and became the first-ever Azusa Pacific athlete to win a world championship. In the process, he also defeated Sebrle, the 2004 Olympic gold medalist, for the first time in what is becoming one of track & field’s top rivalries.

“It’s about time,” said a relieved Clay. “It’s always great to beat the king. I’ve been second in 2 of these meets with Roman finding a way to win. Now I think I have learned from him how to do that myself. He is a real competitor and knows how to do your best when it’s most needed.”

Clay grabbed the early lead during Tuesday’s first-day competition of the decathlon, winning the 100 meters with a 10.43. He briefly surrendered the top spot to Sebrle following the fourth event – the high jump – but reestablished himself atop the leader board with a personal-best 47.78 in the 400 meters to close out the first day with a 14-point cushion over Sebrle.

Despite less than ideal weather conditions of rain and chill, Clay continued his march to the gold during today’s competition, leading the entire way, thanks in part to victories in the 110-meter hurdles (14.43) and the discus throw (176’ 1”). For all intents and purposes, he clinched the gold medal by winning the ninth event – the javelin – with a personal best throw of 236’ 3” which in turn gave him a 356-point advantage over Sebrle heading into the 1500 meters, the final event of the decathlon.

Clay lumbered his way to a 5:03.77, finishing last in the 1500 among the 17 athletes still in the competition, but it was more than enough to win the overall decathlon and hold off Sebrle, who claimed the silver with 8,521 points, more than 300 points off his gold medal winning effort in Athens last year.

“One of the major things in the decathlon is not having mistakes,” said Clay. “I had a solid competition, but the 1500 was brutal. Basically the competition was locked up, so I just had to run safely with a hurting foot. I was trying to make sure it wouldn't cramp. When I came into the last lap I was pretty sure I had it."

Clay, who scored a personal-best 8,820 points in last year’s Olympic Games, has now eclipsed 8,500 points 4 times in the past year and is taking aim at Dan O’Brien’s 1992 American record of 8,891 points.

"The final result was good considering these conditions,” said Clay. “I think that I'm on my way to 9000 points, but I have to find the right conditions."

Clay, who grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, was a 21-time NAIA All-American during his 4-year career at Azusa Pacific, leading the Cougars to 3 national team championships. He graduated in 2002 and continues to train at Azusa Pacific under the guidance of Cougar men’s track & field head coach Kevin Reid.

Click here for complete decathlon results from the World Championships.