Bianca Perie came out on top in a tussle between clearly the best two under-18s in the world, although she only narrowly avoided missing the third-round cut.
The South African threw 62.27m in round five to pip Russia’s Anna Bulgakova to the gold medal by just 22 centimetres in an exciting contest. The rest of the field, led by Hungary’s Dora Levai, who threw 58.80m, were outclassed.
With Perie and Bulgakova starting the day sharing the top 14 throws by under-18s this year, the stage was a set for a close competition between the two.
However, it nearly ended after three rounds. Perie had two no throws but then saved herself with 59.37m to make sure she was in the top eight to receive a further three throws.
Up to that point, the contest had failed to take off, with no one over 60 metres until the fourth round when Bulgakova sent the implement out to 62.05m to take the lead.
This caused an immediate response from Perie, who threw just short of target at 61.48m.
Bulgakova had a close effort in round five but it was measured at 61.40m and Perie then improved to 62.27m.
Bulgakova’s no-throw in round six meant the gold medal went to the 15-year-old Pirie before she had taken to the circle for the last time.
