Jeff Buttle wins world figure skating championship decisively

Nice guy finishes first.

GOTEBORG, Sweden — (The Canadian Press) The Canadian anthem was played during the world figure skating championships medal presentations for the first time in five years, and tears welled in Jeff Buttle's eyes as he sang the closing verse.

"At the end of anthem, it kind of got the best of me," he said after winning gold Saturday. "I've heard it before but not in that context.

"I was very proud, and thinking of my family, that's for sure."

Absolutely nobody had predicted Buttle would win. He finished sixth the previous two years and lost his Canadian title in January, but he laid down the most sensational performances of his career to blow away the opposition. His victory margin over runner-up Brian Joubert of France, the 2007 champion, was a fraction under 14 huge points.

"It's always been my dream to be world champion," the 25-year-old native of Smooth Rock Falls, Ont., said shortly after learning he'd won. "I can't believe it's really happened."

Buttle went into the free skating in first place after getting top marks in the short program Friday. Nobody could touch him in the free skating. He amassed 163.07 points, giving him an overall total of 245.17. Both were personal bests.