BERLIN (AP):

Just like the Jamaicans in the sprints, the Russians are perfect in the walking events at the World Championships.

Russia made it three-for-three Friday when Sergey Kirdyapkin used a late surge to win the 50-kilometre walk, the longest event of the nine-day championships.

Kirdyapkin was as imposing as Valeriy Borchin and Olga Kaniskina were over 20 kilometres, giving Russia a clean sweep in the discipline.

"That's really the first time in history, and I'm very happy that it's the Russian team," Kirdyapkin said.

After Usain Bolt gave Jamaica a third straight sprinting gold with another world-record performance in the 200 late Thursday, the biggest star of the championships took a break on Friday.

"I am on my way to being a legend," Bolt said.

Five gold medals, five world records

Few would doubt that.

In his last five major finals going back to the Olympics, he has five gold medals and five world records.

Up to Thursday, Bolt had boosted Jamaica to the top of the medal standings with five gold and nine overall. The United States was second with four gold and 13 overall. Kirdyapkin's victory gave Russia three gold and 10 overall for third place.

It was up to Felix to salvage some sprinting pride for the Americans.

There is nothing Felix can do about Bolt, but after winning three gold at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan, two years ago, she knows something about streaks.

The Jamaicans, though, are riding an incredible high. So far, the Jamaican team has drawn all its inspiration from Bolt.

Gritting his teeth and pointing to the clock as soon as the record flashed, he slashed .11 second off the mark he set last year. And it came four days after breaking his 100 record by the same margin.

With a new take on former US President John F. Kennedy's famous Cold War quote "Ich bin ein Berliner", Bolt pleased the locals with a training jersey saying "Ich bin ein Berlino", referring to the bear mascot of the championships.