Australian Lisbeth Trickett won her first individual Olympic title in the women's 100 meters butterfly at the Beijing Olympics on Monday.

"It's more than I could dream for. More than anything," Trickett said. "It's my best time."

"Before the race, I felt like I was going to vomit. Then as I walked out, I felt an amazing sense of calm," she said. “I wanted to walk away with no regrets."

Trickett powered her way to the gold medal in 56.73 seconds, just 0.12 outside the world record of 56.61 set by Inge de Bruijn at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Trickett's victory also erased the disappointment of her failure in Athens four years ago.

Trickett was emotional after touching the wall first. She slapped the water and raised her arm in triumph. After the medal ceremony, Trickett wrapped an Australian national flag, waved excitedly to spectators while trying to hold back tears.

To Trickett, an Olympic individual gold means a lot.

"No matter what happens now I can walk away from the most successful Olympics I've ever had," she said after the race.

Her victory was also the second in as many days by Australia 's powerful women's swim team after Stephanie Rice broke the world record to win the 400 individual medley on Sunday.

Source:Xinhua