After a grueling series of injuries, 2012 Olympic champion Sally Pearson finally returned to form to claim world championship gold. The Australian standout won the women's 100m hurdles final in 12.59 over silver medalist Dawn Harper Nelson (12.63) of the U.S. and bronze medalist Pamela Dutkiewicz (12.72) of Germany on Saturday at the IAAF World Championships in London. 

World record-holder Keni Harrison finished a narrow fourth in 12.74. 

Pearson's performance solidifies an impressive comeback. The seven-time global championship medalist suffered from a number of injuries including a shattered wrist after falling in the 2015 Rome Diamond League meet and hamstring problems that kept her from competing at the 2016 Olympic Games. 

Her gold medal in London marks her third global championship title after winning at the 2011 IAAF World Championships and the 2012 Olympic Games. 

The American contingent, which executed a sweep of the medals at the 2016 Olympics, only placed one athlete on the medal stand in London. Harper Nelson's performance marks her first medal since earning silver at the 2012 London Games. 

A projected favorite, Harrison was unable to make the podium. After missing the Olympic team last summer, she broke the world record in the event when she won the London Diamond League meet in 12.20. 

Christina Manning claimed fifth and Olympic silver medalist Nia Ali finished last.