Brian Joubert became France's first men's world champion in 42 years following a polished free program at the world figure skating championships on Thursday.

Already the European champion, Joubert is now the first Frenchman to win the world title since Alain Calmat in 1965.

Joubert had led after Wednesday's short program and was left in tears after winning with a total of 240.85 points, even though his free scores were third best on the day.

"Since Calmat won -- 42 years is too long," Joubert told Reuters. "I was so nervous. I didn't want to come second. When I got on the podium it felt great."

Joubert, whose free program total was 157.21, added: "It has been a great season. I gave it everything I had. But waiting for the scores was torture."

Japan's Daisuke Takahashi also broke down after taking the silver with a total of 237.95 points while posting the top score for the free program with a 163.44.

Joubert told French TV: "My next big goal is the Olympics in 2010. It did not work out for me in 2006 and I don't want that to happen again."

Calmat, who is in Tokyo, said: "He has been the best skater in the world for years and he really deserves this."

Two-times defending world champion Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland was second best on the day with 160.65 points to leave him third on a total of 233.35.

Czech Tomas Verner was fourth with 226.25 with American Evan Lysacek fifth on 222.18.

CHANCES BLOWN

Canadian champion Jeffrey Buttle, second after Wednesday's short program, blew his chances by crashing to the ice three times in an unhappy skate and finished sixth on 214.96.

Sweden's Kristoffer Berntsson brought some Travolta-esque dazzle to Tokyo with a rousing skate to the music from "Saturday Night Fever" which briefly gave him the lead.

The Nordic champion eventually finished ninth on 206.29 points despite bringing the house down with his high-intensity routine.

Russian three-times world champion Yevgeny Plushenko is on a year's sabbatical following his gold medal at last year's Turin Olympics.

Earlier, Bulgaria's golden couple Albena Denkova and Maxim Staviski edged closer to a second straight ice dancing world title with a spell-binding original dance routine.

Denkova and Staviski, whose resemblance to former England soccer captain David Beckham has made him a big fan favorite in Tokyo, were given a rare standing ovation.

The Bulgarians, skating in their last official competition, finished the second of the three ice dancing elements on a total of 99.52 points, with the slenderest of leads over Canada's Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon.

"It's nice they think I look like David Beckham," a beaming Staviski told Reuters. "Thank you very much. If only I could get as much money as Beckham that would be great!"

Last year's world silver medalists Dubreuil and Lauzon skated superbly to finish on 99.50.

American pair Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto, silver medallists at the 2006 Turin Olympics, were third on 99.02..

The ice dancing medals will be determined by Friday's free dance program.