Sergey Shubenkov of Russia clears a hurdle in the men's 110 meters hurdles final during the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing August 28, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING - Sergey Shubenkov was almost flawless in the men's 110m hurdles final and clocked 12.98 seconds for the gold at the world athletics championships in Beijing on Friday.

Jamaican Hansle Parchment claimed silver in 13.03 and Olympic champion and world record holder Aries Merritt of the United States had to settle for bronze in 13.04.

"I can't describe what I'm feeling now. I don't remember anything about the race. I heard the starting gun and then I opened my eyes and it's finished. My first thought when I crossed the finish line was - is this really happening? Maybe when I woke up and it's not happening," said a jubilant Shubenkov, who's the 2013 world championships bronze medalist and two-time European champion.