Russia's Tatyana Tomashova stunned European champion Sureyya Ayhan to win the women's 1,500 metres at the World Athletics Championships in Paris on Sunday.

The 28-year-old, 2002 European bronze medallist, mowed the gold medal favourite down in the final 20 metres to win in three minutes 58.52 seconds, a lifetime best.

Turkey's Ayhan took silver in 3:59.04 while Briton Hayley Tullett won bronze in 3:59.95.

Ayhan came into the competition as the only woman to have run under four minutes this year.

Photograph: Getty Images