Sprinter LaShawn Merritt of Suffolk has reminded the world what he is capable of after winning the 400 meters at the 14th International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships on Tuesday in Moscow.

Merritt posted a time of 43.74 seconds, his best ever, beating his previous mark of 43.75 set when he won gold in the 400 meters at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The win was a welcome return to the limelight after Merritt re-aggravated a left hamstring injury in the 400-meter qualifying round of the 2012 London Olympic Games, preventing him from winning another Olympic gold medal.

Kirani James of Grenada went on to win in London, but Merritt got the better of him on Tuesday by 1.25 seconds and was 0.66 seconds ahead of the closest competitor, Tony McQuay of the United States, who earned silver.