De Zordo bags gold in men's javelin throw at Daegu

Matthias de Zordo of Germany, 23, claimed his first world title in the men's javelin throw with the first attempt of 86.27 meters on Saturday night at the Daegu world championships. "My coach told me to hit it hard on the first attempt and I am glad I was able to do so," he told reporters after the game. De Zordo's winning throw is also his personal best of 2011. Before the Daegu worlds, De Zordo, not well known in this event, had won silver at the 2010 European Athletics Championships in Barcelona. "I do not know what was wrong with Andreas Thordkildsen, (and) why he was not able to attack," he said. "I injured my ankle and had treatment after the fourth attempt." Defending world champion Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway, 29, finished second with a throw of 84.78 meters in his fourth attempt, which is far and away poorer than his 2011 best of 90.61 meters. It is Thorkildsen's first defeat at a major championships since 2007. "For me, the silver medal is just the second place. It means I lost the competition. When it comes to statistics, this is my worst result since the World Championships in Paris (in 2003)," Thorkildsen said. "Gold was reachable but my technique today was just bad.... The victory of De Zordo is not a surprise because he was the guy who already managed to beat me before. So he was attacking the highest positions," he added. Guillermo Martinez of Cuba, who took silver in 2009 in Berlin, took bronze with an effort of 84.30 meters in his opening throw. "I am pleased with my second World Championships medal. I arrived here without international competition due to an injury in my left calf. I am glad to have contributed to Cuba in the medal," he said.