Anthony Foster, Star Writer

Melaine Walker hams it up for the camera after winning the women's 400-metre hurdles yesterday. - charles pitt

beijing, china

Hurdler Melaine Walker summed up her emphatic victory in the 400m final at yesterday's Olympic games as a dream come true.

"I could see it coming," said Walker, whose run was a national and Games record 52.64. Sheena Tosta of the United States took silver in 53.70 and Tasha Danvers of Britain was third in 53.84.

Walker's mark erased the national record of 52.82, which was set by Deon Hemmings-McCatty to win the 1996 Olympic in Atlanta, also then a games record. Hemming's mark was then erased by Fani Halkirk, who ran 52.77 to established a new mark at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

"I expected it. I dreamed about it a million times," said Walker, who beat Hemmings-McCatty in 2003, as a schoolgirl.

"I saw my race over and over," added Walker, who also won World Junior bronze. I could see myself coming over, crossing the finish line," a smiling Walker said.

Walker, who often commented that anybody caught in the home straights, would be left for dead, seemed to justify her statement, when she roared home with 50 metres left to go. The former St. Jago, Essex and Texas star paced her race perfectly.

She trailed American Tosta up to the eighth hurdle, but took over approaching the ninth before leaving everyone for dead in the home stretch.

Walker said it was hard work and dedication that brought her such an important victory.

"I want to say it's heart, dedication, discipline, and about wanting it,".