Kelsey Lee-Barber has defended her Javelin world championship title from three years ago in Qatar, claiming the javelin gold medal in a dramatic final on Saturday afternoon (AEST).
Fresh off a bronze medal at the Olympics in Tokyo last year, Lee-Barber produced a 66.91m throw with her third attempt – the longest any woman has thrown in the world this year.
The 30-year-old’s triumph at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon is Australia’s 11th gold medal at a World Athletics Championships and the second at this meet following Eleanor Patterson’s High Jump title.
It is also the first time a woman has ever defended a javelin title at the world championships.
In a chaotic final round, both American Kara Winger and Japan’s Haruka Kitaguchi saved their best for last to claim the minor medals.
Fellow Aussie Mackenzie Little – who lead the competition early – finished fifth despite producing a personal best throw of 63.22m.