The 25-year-old (pictured top, centre) ran the fourth fastest time of the year at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium, breaking the Championship record, but had to pull out of the final because he was reportedly suffering from cramp.

Dasaolu's time has only been bettered by former world and Olympic champion Linford Christie, who recorded 9.87 to win the world title in Stuttgart in 1993.

Dwain Chambers, who went on to win the final in 10.04sec at the age of 35, has also recorded 9.87sec but that effort was wiped as part of a doping suspension.

Doubt was also cast over Christie's performance after he tested positive for banned drugs and served a two-year suspension at the end of his career.

Elsewhere on the second day of the championships Dai Greene, Rhys Williams, Asha Philip, Tiffany Porter and Christine Ohuruogu all qualified for the World Championships.


But it was Dasaolu's performance which provided an unexpected highlight to the day as he produced his fourth personal best this year.

American Tyson Gay with 9.75, Jamaica's Asafa Powell with 9.88 and Gay's compatriot Justin Gatlin with 9.89 are the only sprinters to have covered the distance quicker in 2013.

"I knew I was going to run quick from the first step," the Loughborough-based athlete, whose previous record was 10.03, said.

"Once you get to 60-70 metres, your body is running as quick as it can and it's all about relaxation.

"Because I was so far ahead it was much easier to relax."

Dasaolu looked at the clock and raised his arms in disbelief as he comfortably finished ahead of a field which included Athens 2004 Olympic sprint relay gold medallist Mark Lewis-Francis.

He now joins Christie, Chambers - who has an official best of 9.97 set in winning world bronze in Seville in 1999, and Jason Gardener, the former world indoor champion who recorded 9.98, on the list of Britons who have dipped under the 10-second barrier in the 100m.

"As a sprinter, you want to go underneath 10 seconds and I'm happy to do that," added Dasaolu, whose early career had been hampered by injuries.

"Sub-10 is a big thing for me and I just hope to continue running sub-10s.

"I'm happy with 9.91 and I just want to build on that."


Despite not winning the 100m title, he is certain of his place at the IAAF World Championships in Russia when the British team is announced on Tuesday (July 16).

"My ultimate aim is to be fit for Moscow and I don't want to risk an injury competing in the final," Dasaolu explained.

As a reigning world champion, Greene did not have to worry about qualifying for Moscow but he did ease fears over his form and fitness by winning the men's 400m hurdles from European champion Williams in a season's best of 48.66.

Greene's wildcard entry for Russia means Williams, by finishing second in a personal best 48.85 secs, also earned a place on the British team.

Meanwhile, 2008 Olympic champion Ohuruogu in 50.98 comfortably won the women's 400m.

A personal best 11.20 saw teenager Philip become the women's 100m British champion, while Porter - who had already achieved the A standard - won the women's 100m hurdles.

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