Menendez with her new record figures (Getty Images).

Osleidys Menendez smashed her own world javelin record as she claimed gold in Helsinki on Sunday.

With her first throw of the day, the 25-year-old Cuban sent the spear out to 71.70m in the Olympic Stadium, bettering her previous mark set four years ago by 16cm.

There was little doubt about the destination of the world title after that, Menendez adding it to her Olympic crown she won in Athens 12 months ago.

Silver and bronze went to Germany, via Christina Obergfoll (70.03m) and Steffi Nerius (65.96m).

Briton Goldie Sayers finished 12th, only managing a best effort of 54.44m.

The 23-year-old had looked good in qualifying when she achieved the necessary distance with her first throw but Sayers could not reproduce that form.