New Zealand won its first gold medal of these championships but only after a little scare. The 1997 world leader, Beatrice Faumina fouled on her first 2 attempts, but in the 3rd round her toss of 66.82m was good enough to get the title.
Defending champion Ellina Zvereva of Belarus threw 65.90 in the second round and that ensured the silver medal. Also in the second round, Russia’s Natalya Sadova clinched the third place with 65.14m.
The only athletes who improved in the last 3 rounds were Russia’s Larisa Korotchevich, 4th at 63.02m, and Belarus’s Irina Yatchenko, with very colourful purple hair, 5th at 62.58.
Faumina’s and Sadova’s marks are the shortest ever for 1st and 3rd places at the World Championships.
