Finn Pitkamaki goes big to claim javelin gold

OSAKA, Japan, Sept 2 (Reuters) Finland's Tero Pitkamaki saved the best until last by breaking the 90-metre mark with his final throw to claim the men's javelin gold medal at the world championships today.

The 24-year-old former cross country skier was already leading when he launched the javelin 90.33 metres to put a gloss on his first world title.

Norway's Andreas Thorkildsen sparked the competition to life with his third attempt of 88.61 metres but Pitkamaki was next up and immediately bettered the Olympic champion with a throw of 89.16m.

Thorkildsen's 88.61m was good enough for silver and American Breaux Greer, who owns the best throw of the year at 91.29m, claimed bronze with his penultimate 86.21m.

Pitkamaki's only defeat this year came after one of his warm-up throws in Rome accidentally hit French long jumper Salim Sdiri.

REUTERS SSC RK1810