He wasn't the favorite, but LaShawn Merritt struck gold

LaShawn Merritt’s life is about to change.

Until Thursday, Merritt had been the overlooked champion – winner of the 400 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials in July, but not even the favored American in Beijing. That role went to rival and defending Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner.

Thursday night inside the Bird’s Nest stadium, Merritt stole Wariner’s show, introducing the pride of Portsmouth to the whole world.

Merritt captured Olympic gold in Beijing, turning in a personal-best time of 43.75 seconds and, in the process, became the new face of the 400 meters.

The time ranks him fifth all-time in the 400 meters. The Wilson High School grad also became the second native of South Hampton Roads to claim an Olympic title in an individual event, joining 1984 boxing gold medalist Pernell “Sweetpea” Whitaker.

So far, Merritt and 400 hurdler Angelo Taylor are the only U.S. men to win gold at the track in Beijing. While others have come up short, the spotlight is shining brightly on Merritt , whose star power is on the rise.

“Winning gold puts (Merritt) on the level of a modern-day star,” Marcus Sims, Merritt’s publicist, said. “He’s being looked at and respected in the same light, maybe not like Michael Phelps, but he’s definitely being considered on par with some of his peers.”

Sims said former Deep Creek and current Oakland Raiders star DeAngelo Hall is one of many sports personalities who have called to congratulate Merritt.

Financially speaking, a gold medal breaks some barriers for Merritt.

His meet appearance fees will increase, but it’s the endorsements that could make the 22-year-old a rich man.

When Merritt left East Carolina University to turn pro, he signed a four-year, $2 million endorsement contract with Nike.

“That contract was supposed to be over, but they were talking about renegotiating if I won gold, so we’ll see,” he said early Friday morning from Beijing. “But the gold will definitely open up doors.”

On Thursday, Wariner, who won world titles in 2005 and 2007, finished a distant second – nearly a second behind Merritt – with a time of 44.74 . It was a stunning outcome for a runner who hadn’t lost in major international competition since winning gold at the Summer Games in Athens four years ago.

David Neville was third with 44.80 to complete the second straight Olympic sweep in the 400 by the United States. Norfolk State University grad Chris Brown, racing for the Bahamas, was fourth, missing a bronze by four-hundredths of a second. After the race, all the talk was about Merritt, who proved that his two previous victories over Wariner weren’t flukes.

“I had a game plan going into the finals,” Merritt said. “And I knew if I stuck to it that it would be a great race.”

Merritt watched as Wariner , who was in lane seven, and Neville , in lane nine, got out fast.

But Merritt, who was in lane four, didn’t panic.

He knew they eventually would come back to him, and they did with about 100 meters to go.

That’s when Merritt used his long, powerful stride to cruise past Wariner and Neville on the final straightaway.

“I knew I had the race once I came off the turn,” he said. “When I had 50 meters left, that’s when I normally see (Wariner), but when I peeked over I didn’t see anybody. From there I just tried to stay relaxed and cross the finish line first.

“After crossing the finish line I was thinking, 'I won, I won.’ But then I started walking and I thought, 'I just won the Olympics.’ It’s an incredible feeling. It was kind of overwhelming for a minute.”

Wariner faded fast when Merritt made his move, barely finishing ahead of a fast-closing Neville and Brown to secure the silver medal.

Afterward, Wariner congratulated Merritt on a great race.

“He told me, 'Good job,’” Merritt said. “Like I said, he’s not a poor sportsman at all. Today I was the better man. I showed up and did what I wanted to do.”

Wariner, who still is the third-fastest man in the event, made no excuses.

“I got out front in the first 200. I felt good coming out of the turn, but when I tried to go, I didn’t have anything left,” Wariner told reporters. “I ran the best I could. I ran exactly how I wanted to. I just didn’t have anything left.

“LaShawn just ran a better race than I did.”

For now, Merritt just wants to enjoy the moment.

“It hasn’t really hit me yet,” said Merritt, who spent more than five hours doing post-race interviews. “My mind-set coming here was to just go out and win. I didn’t want to get too hyped about the Olympics or worry about people’s expectations. I just wanted to stay focused on my mission.

“Last year, when I got silver (at World Outdoor Championships), that motivated me a lot and I was dedicated to what I was doing now to be

No. 1. I knew my mistakes that I made last year and I corrected them. I was gearing up for these Games and I showed up when it counted.”

Merritt will go for a second gold medal later this week, when he joins Wariner and Neville on the heavily favored U.S. 1,600 relay team. Many think they have a chance to break the world record of

2:54.29, set in 1993.

“I’m not one to chase world records, but if they come, they come,” Merritt said. “I’m just trying to win it.”

Larry Rubama, (757) 446-2273, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com