Jamaica's Usain Bolt was disqualified from the final of the men's 100m at the World Athletics Championships as countryman Yohan Blake took gold.

Defending champion Bolt caused shock in the stadium in Daegu as he came out of his blocks well before the gun.

Blake clocked 9.92 seconds to lead home American Walter Dix (10.08) and 2003 world champion Kim Collins (10.09).

RULE 162.7 quote An athlete, after assuming a full and final set position, shall not commence his start until after receiving the report of the gun. If, in the judgement of the starter or recallers, he does so any earlier, it shall be deemed a false start. Except in combined events, any athlete responsible for a false start shall be disqualified

But much of the talk will centre on the fate of Bolt, who still has the 200m and 4x100m to come.

The triple world and Olympic champion beat a hasty retreat after his misfortune, although was quoted as saying: "Looking for tears? "Not going to happen. I'm OK."

Bolt, 25, later released a short comment via the IAAF website, saying: "I have nothing to say right now. I need some time."

Asked about the defence of his 200m title which begins on Friday, Bolt added: "How will I go? We'll have to see on Friday."

TOM FORDYCE'S BLOG It was classic Bolt, another act in the comedy-drama that has seen him dominate the sporting schedules since that extraordinary night in Beijing's Bird's Nest two summers ago Read more from Tom's blog

Bolt was his usual relaxed self before the race, preening when his name was announced, and the outcome will no doubt lead people to question both his preparation and the false-start rule.

Previously, athletes had been allowed one false start before being disqualified for a second, but new rules were introduced by governing body the IAAF for the start of the 2010 season.

While Blake, 21, had sympathy for his training partner he nevertheless was overwhelmed by his unexpected triumph.

"I don't think I can find words to explain it, I feel like I want to cry," he said. "I have been praying for this moment, this is all a dream for me right now.

"Usain Bolt has been there for me. I felt I would win the race for Bolt."

Dix, a double Olympic bronze medallist, added: "I didn't really think they were going to kick him out. How can you kick Usain out of the race?"

The 35-year-old Collins, meanwhile, questioned the validity of the false-start rule after picking up his third World Championships bronze medal.

"I don't think it is right. These things happen but you have to give people a chance," said the St Kitts and Nevis athlete.

ANALYSIS quote It was a fantastic race but all the talk will be about Usain Bolt. That was a shock, pure and simple, but even the best in the world can get it wrong and the rules are the rules.

"If the IAAF feel that is the right way to go for TV rights and everything, the rule will stay. As much as I want to be on the podium, tonight is a sad night for athletics."

Bolt, 25, has dominated the sprinting world in recent years: after storming to the 100m and 200m sprint double in then-world record times at the 2008 Olympics, Bolt matched his feat the following year at the Worlds in Berlin, setting new marks of 9.58 and 19.19.

The 100m in Daegu had already been deprived of the three previous fastest men this year - Bolt's team-mates Asafa Powell and Steve Mullings and American Tyson Gay.

Britain's Dwain Chambers was disqualified for a false-start in the semi-finals, one day after compatriot Christine Ohuruogu was eliminated from the 400m for the same infringement.