STUTTGART, Germany — Asafa Powell cruised to victory in the 100 meters and Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt won the 400 today at the World Athletics Final, which included a world record in the women's javelin.

With Usain Bolt home in Jamaica celebrating his three Olympic titles and world records, Powell won in 9.87 seconds, far off Bolt's record of 9.69.

Merritt nipped Jeremy Wariner at the finish to win the 400 in 44.50, repeating his victory over his fellow American at the Beijing Olympics. Wariner finished 0.01 behind.

Barbora Spotakova of the Czech Republic set a world record in the javelin with a throw of 237 feet, 2 inches (72.28 meters). She collected a bonus of $100,000 for the record and took home $30,000 for winning the event.

"I never expected the record, I did not feel very good in the morning," said Spotakova, the reigning world and Olympic champion.

She set the record in her first throw, breaking the previous mark of 235-3 (71.70) set by Osleidys Menendez of Cuba at the 2005 world championships in Helsinki, Finland.

Jamaicans swept the top three spots in the 100, with Nesta Carter finishing second in 10.07 and Michael Frater next in 10.10.

In the 100 hurdles, Josephine Onyia of Spain upset American LoLo Jones, winning in 12.54. Jones trailed by 0.02 seconds.

Jones lost the Olympic final after stumbling into the penultimate hurdle and finished seventh, although she had the fastest time in the world this year.

In the 400, Merritt hurled himself forward at the line and fell hard on the ground, clutching his right thigh. He later said he was "all right."

Merritt said his goal for 2009 is to "start off where I left off this year."

"Another aim will be to get my time down," he said. "It is not so much about how often I beat Jeremy Wariner or not."

In the 400 hurdles, Olympic silver medalist Kerron Clement of the United States caught Danny McFarlane of Jamaica at the final hurdle and won in 48.96. Olympic champion Angelo Taylor of the United States opted to run the 400 and finished fourth.

Bernard Lagat broke from the pack with near the end to win the 3,000 for another U.S. victory.

Olympic pole vault champion and world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva pulled out of the competition because of a cold.

"My body simply said 'No,'" the Russian said as the two-day competition got under way in damp, cool conditions.

Stefan Holm of Sweden ended his illustrious high jump career by finishing second at 7-feet, 7¾ inches. The 2004 Athens Olympic champion was beaten by the Beijing champion, Andrey Silnov of Russia, who cleared 7-8½.