But the 25-year-old Jamaican star got it all wrong in spectacular fashion in Daegu, springing from his blocks well before the gun (his reaction time was -0.104 seconds) and pulling his running vest off in despair, instantly realising he would be disqualified.

While a mortified Bolt was still slapping a wall near the start in frustration, a stunned stadium saw 21-year-old compatriot Yohan Blake power to the title in 9.92 seconds, with American Walter Dix taking silver and veteran Kim Collins the bronze.

Bolt was nowhere to be found after the race, while training partner Blake – who did not even compete in the last World Championships in Berlin after testing positive for a stimulant and later receiving a three-month ban – said: “I can’t find words to explain it.

“I feel like I want to cry. Trust me, I’ve been praying for this moment for my whole life.

“I felt sorry for Usain, my training partner. I had to take it out in the race for him. When he did the false start I was so surprised because we had been talking about that in training – he false starts a lot – and now it happens.

“I knew I would challenge Bolt one day but I did not expect it today. I am traumatised and have mixed feelings, I am very sad for Usain Bolt but at the same time I am enjoying this very much.”

Silver medallist Dix – who just overhauled Collins on the line to finish 0.01s ahead of the 35-year-old – said of Bolt’s disqualification: “I couldn’t believe it, it’s kind of surreal.

“I didn’t think they were going to kick him out. It’s pretty hard to kick Usain out of the race.”

Collins added: “The champion is out, you have to take advantage of that. If the IAAF feel that is the right way to go for TV rights and everything, the rule will stay.

“As much as I want to be on the podium, tonight is a sad night for athletics.”

Rule 162.7, which was introduced for the 2010 season, states that: “An athlete, after assuming a full and final set position, shall not commence his start until after receiving the report of the gun. If, in the judgement of the starter or recallers, he does so any earlier, it shall be deemed a false start. Except in combined events, any athlete responsible for a false start shall be disqualified.”

From 2003, the rules stated that after any false start, all athletes are warned. Any subsequent false start leads to immediate disqualification. Previously, disqualification occurred only after the same athlete false-started twice.

The new rule has not been universally popular, with former world champion Tyson Gay proving eerily accurate when he predicted in June 2010: “If it happened at the Olympics or World Championships next year...without Usain Bolt the race is going to have an asterisk to the side. It just doesn’t make sense.”

And another former world champion, Trinidad’s Ato Boldon, wrote on Twitter: “That sound you hear is the rules committee wondering how they could have ruined a whole meet with a rule no one wanted.”

Remarkably, Bolt was the second sprinter to get disqualified in the 100m this evening, with Britain’s Dwain Chambers committing a false start in the first semi-final.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet but I’ve got to keep my thoughts and frustrations to myself at the moment,” said Chambers, whose false start was barely noticeable compared to Bolt’s.

“Obviously the gun went and I moved. It’s a bit unfortunate. The rules are the rules and I false started. Today I was optimistic about my chances but I was up against guys on paper faster than me so I would have had to run beyond my best to qualify.”

Asked about his future plans with his Olympic ban ruling him out of the London Games next year, the 33-year-old added: “It’s too soon to make any decisions on my current situation. I’m still enjoying it and we will see what happens.”