Defending champion Christine Ohuruogu demolished her season's best to march into the final of the 400 metres at the World Championships in Beijing.

The 31-year-old cruised to a semi-final victory in 50.16 seconds at the Bird's Nest stadium, taking 0.66secs off her previous best time of the year.

Ohuruogu, back at the scene of her Olympic triumph seven years ago, will face stiff competition from American favourite Allyson Felix, who looked in imperious form in qualifying fastest in 49.89s, and Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas.

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Her Great Britain team-mate Anyika Onuora clocked a personal best 50.87 in her semi, but it was only good enough for fifth place as she crashed out. 

The final will take place inside the Bird's nest stadium on Thursday, and Ohuruogu will be aiming to emulate the likes of Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford in winning gold for Great Britain. 

If she is to do achieve that it will be the perfect tonic for the disappointment of four years ago, where she was disqualified in the heats for making a false start.