German Heidler wins surprise world hammer title

OSAKA, Japan, Aug 30 (Reuters) German Betty Heidler won a surprise gold in the women's hammer at the world championships today.

Heidler won her first major title with her second throw of 74.76 metres, just two centimetres more than twice world champion Yipsi Moreno of Cuba.

China's Asian Games champion Zhang Wenxiu took bronze with 74.39 before committing her third foul of the six rounds by clattering the hammer into the net with her final throw.

The competition in Osaka had been thrown wide open after world record holder Tatyana Lysenko tested positive for doping in May.

REUTERS BJR VV1738