Gold Medalist Xu Zhihang of China holding the national flag of China, celebrates after the Men's 400m Hurdles Final of athletics event at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, the capital of East China's Jiangsu province, Aug 25, 2014. [Photo/nanjing2014.org]

NANJING - China's Xu Zhihang won the men's 400m hurdles gold in a thrilling finish at the Nanjing OSC Stadium Monday - but only by the barest of margins.

Clearing the last hurdle, Xu led but had Tunisian Fares Mohamed Jlasi closing fast on his outside.

Xu, grimacing with iron-willed effort, battled towards the finish with Jlasi looking the stronger and the pair were inseperable when they crossed the line, both recording 50.61s.

The pair sprawled exhausted on the track waiting for the judges' verdict and Xu could scarcely believe it when he was adjudged to have crossed the tape first - thanks to a desperate lunge with his head. Xu raised his arms to the sky in delight before wrapping the China flag around his shoulders.

Victor Coroller (FRA) won the bronze in 51.19s and all three medallists scored personal bests.