TNT Sports
Alekna retains Discus gold
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Published 07/08/2005 at 19:30 GMT+1
Reigning champ Virgilijus Alekna of Lithuania won the discus with the last throw of the competition at the World Championships on Sunday. In an exciting finish he came rom second place to set a championship record of 70.17m. Gerd Kanter of Estonia won sil
Eurosport
Image credit: TNT Sports
Alekna, Olympic and World champion, qualified comfortably and took an early lead with consecutive second and third round throws ten centimetres shy either side of 68m.
However, Estonian Gert Kanter hit back with a massive fourth round effort of 68.57m, which looked to have won the event.
Indeed, after his final round throw there were only two competitors left, with third-placed German Michael Mollenbeck opting to pass his last try, content with bronze.
But one can never underestimate the mental strength Alekna possesses to complement his undoubted talent, and with the final throw of the competition the giant Lithuanian send the discus past 70m to delight the supporters, US shot put winner Adam Nelson amazed by the effort.
Alekna's throw of 70.17 is a new championship record.
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