Jason Richardson of the US holds up his flag after taking second place at the men's 110 metres hurdles final at the IAAF 2011 World Championships in Daegu, August 29, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

DAEGU - Jason Richardson admitted to a "bittersweet" feeling after claiming the 110 metres hurdles world championship gold medal when Cuban Dayron Robles was disqualified on Monday.

Richardson was the beneficiary when Olympic champion Robles was disqualified for obstructing Liu Xiang in the final, effectively taking the Chinese out of the race for the line.

So instead of Robles or Liu, the two fastest high hurdlers of all time, taking home the title it was the dreadlocked 25-year-old Californian who has never run under 13 seconds.    

"The reaction is bittersweet, you never want to see someone as talented as Robles disqualified but there are rules we have to abide by," he said.

"I am disappointed to have won the gold medal on a technicality."

Richardson has been in great form this year, beating his better known compatriot David Oliver and finally fulfilling the promise he showed when he won gold in the 110m and 400m hurdles at the world junior championships in 2003.  

"With faith anything is possible," he said. "All you need to do is listen to be called. I had a difficult college experience, but now I got some bumps out, got much more technical help.

"My coach John Smith is awesome, always willing to learn. Everyday we are learning something with him and making changes. We can only improve in this way."

Having claimed the world title, Richardson said his next goal was to improve his best time of 13.08 seconds in his quest to better the world record of 12.87.

"I truly believe I can break Robles's record," he said.