Betty Heidler claimed World Championship gold in the women's hammer by just 2cm in Osaka on Thursday.

The German won a closely-fought competition courtesy of her second-round effort of 74.76m.

That proved to be enough to win the title - but only just.

Cuba's Yipsi Moreno, the champion from 2001 and 2003, came agonisingly close to snatching the gold in the final round, when she sent the hammer out to 74.74.

That effort meant she took a second World Championship silver, having also finished runner-up in Helsinki two years ago.

China's Wenxiu Zhang threw 74.39 to take the bronze medal, while Ireland's Eileen O'Keeffe produced a commendable performance to finish sixth with a best of 70.93.

Afterwards Heidler spoke of the nervous wait she had had to endure before clinching victory.

"After the fifth and sixth attempt, I was afraid to lose my gold medal, very nervous - I trembled.

"But nevertheless, I am the winner now. After Yipsi's last throw I thought for a tiny moment 'Oh, I am only second now.' But then, with the official result, I was relieved."