DEFIANT Newport sprinter Christian Malcolm crashed out of the 200 metres World Championship semi-finals in Paris last night - but vowed he will prove himself as a world class performer.

The 24-year-old Eveswell pace ace (pictured) finished fifth in the first heat of the 200 metres semi in the Stade de France, while fellow Gwent-based sprinter Darren Campbell cruised through in the other heat.

Malcolm could, however, count himself unlucky that he was drawn in tricky lane one. That proved costly as the former Hartridge High School student missed out on that all-important top four spot by 0.07 seconds.

American Darvis Patton flew to victory in Malcolm's heat in a time of 20.03 but it was Joshua Johnson, another stateside hope, who scooped Malcolm to fourth spot with a time of 20.36 seconds.

And Malcolm insisted afterwards: "I still believe I have got what it takes to be a major championship sprinter.

"I knew it would be hard from lane one but I still thought I was capable of finishing in the top four.

"After the early rounds I hoped I would find some kind of speed but I just did not have anything in my legs."

Malcolm's time of 20.43 seconds would have seen him into tonight's final in the Parisian superb of Saint-Denis - but it wasn't to be.

Meanwhile, Marshfield's Campbell wants to be respected as both a 100 and 200 metres sprinter. Tonight he has the chance to get his wish by claiming his second medal of these World Championships when he runs for Britain in the final of the latter discipline.

Campbell became Britain's first - and so far one of only two - medallist here when he finished third in the final of the 100m on Monday night.

The 29-year-old was back on track in the Stade de France last night for the semi-finals of the 200m and went through in third place with a season's best time of 20.34 seconds.

"People always say I am a 200m runner and I keep trying to tell people I am a sprinter," said Campbell after landing his 100m bronze.

"I come from the old school. I have the same mentality as Carl Lewis and Linford Christie, and I want my respect in both races.

"I don't want to be known as a 200 metres runner, I don't want to be known as a 100 metres runner, I want to be known as a great sprinter."

Darren Campbell runds in lane 2 of the 200m final tonight at 20.00 GMT