BERLIN — Defending champion Maryam Jamal of Bahrain won the gold medal in the women's 1,500 meters after Natalia Rodriguez of Spain was disqualified for tripping favorite Gelete Burka in a hectic finish at the world championships today.

Rodriguez was first to cross the line, but the race referee scratched her from the results for pushing aside Burka with 200 meters to go.

The disqualification moves Lisa Dobriskey of Britain to silver and Shannon Rowbury of the United States to bronze.

Rodriguez had finished in a season's best 4 minutes, 3.36 seconds, beating Jamal by .38.

Spain could still lodge an appeal.