World Champion Christian Cantwell goes over 22 metres again in the men's Shot (© Getty Images)
World Champion Christian Cantwell took victory at the IAAF/VTB Bank World Athletics Final as well. Thessaloniki was the place where Olympic champion Tomasz Majewski, who had to be content with a silver medal at the Berlin World Championships, had the chance for revenge. But the American was again superior with a great effort of 22.07m. With that mark he also produced the first 22m Shot Put in the history of the World Athletics Final (WAF). Adam Nelson (USA), who was seventh today with 20.03m, had been the holder of the WAF record with 21.92 m from 2005.
The first round seemed to have started a thrilling duel between Cantwell and his Polish rival Majewski. The American started the competition with a fine 21.22m and the Olympic Champion then reacted with an attempt just one centimetre short of that leading mark. But already in round two Cantwell more or less killed the competition with his WAF record. The American was overjoyed and celebrated and then continued strong with further results of 21.75m and 21.86m. In contrast Majewski had no answer, producing a fault in round two and then adding 21.21 and 20.94 m.
“It was a fantastic year for me, but it was not an easy win today. I tried to improve after the second round, but I did not manage. However victory is the most important thing,” said Christian Cantwell and added: “My next target is to win the World Indoor Championship.”
Russia’s Pavel Sofin took third place with a personal best of 20.82m. After he had achieved this at his first attempt he passed the following three rounds. Reese Hoffa (USA) took third with 20.66.
Jörg Wenig for the IAAF
