American Katie Moon and Australia's Nina Kennedy decided to share the women's pole vault gold medal in another magical moment at the World Athletics Championships on Wednesday.

Their decision had echoes of Qatar's Mutaz Barshim and Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi sharing the high jump gold at the Tokyo Olympics.

The two women cleared 4.90 metres in a dramatic final that stretched two hours and 10 minutes, but both missed on all three attempts at 4.95 and decided to share the victory rather than go to a jump-off.

"I jumped out of my skin tonight (Wednesday). It was super crazy," Kennedy said. "I cannot explain it. It was surreal. I jumped 4.82 two or three years ago so I knew I had some higher heights in me and tonight I just placed them together.

"To win a gold medal, it is just a dream come true — I knew I could get on the podium, but it was a miracle to get the gold. So I think a miracle happened tonight."

It was the second consecutive world title for Moon, who also won Olympic gold in Tokyo. Armed with a personal best of 4.95 and a season's best of 4.90, the 32-year-old Moon appeared to be the favourite.

But Kennedy had other ideas. She surpassed the Australian record and her own personal best by eight centimetres when she sailed over 4.90, and then held back tears as she looked up at the steady bar in disbelief.

Moon and Kennedy chatted briefly after their three misses to decide the outcome, then embraced.

Karsten Warholm of Norway returned to the top of the global medal podium, racing to his third victory in the 400-metres hurdles.

The world record holder and Olympic champion pulled away from American Rai Benjamin heading into the home straight to win in 46.89, spreading his arms wide in celebration.

The 27-year-old won the 2017 and 2019 World Championships, but struggled to seventh at the worlds last season in Eugene when he was hampered by a hamstring injury.

"It feels incredibly good to have the gold around my neck again," Warholm told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. "I fought all I could."

Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic won gold in the women’s 400m, finally claiming top spot on the podium after silvers at last year’s worlds and Tokyo Olympics.

The race was wide open in the absence of injured American Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the 400m hurdles world record holder, and with Olympic and defending world champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo going out in the heats four months after having a baby.