China reaps two medals in women's javelin

China's Li Lingwei (L) celebrates winning silver with Lyu Huihui who won bronze in the women's javelin during the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium on Aug 8, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

Spotakova, 36, last winning the world title in 2007 in Osaka, set the winning mark of 66.76 meters in her second attempt.

China's Li Lingwei, a two-time Asian champion, produced a lifetime best of 66.25 to take the silver while her teammate Lyu Huihui, who set a new Asian record in the qualification of 67.49 on Sunday, could not repeat her strong performance in the final, and settled for the bronze in 65.26.

For Li, 2008 junior world runner-up, the silver medal was a delightful surprise.

"I did well today. This year I have been bothered by injury and loose training, so I was not at the height of my fitness tonight," said Li, 28. "I had not expected to win the medal at all."

Among the 12 finalists, three are from China which Li considered a good sign for javelin throw to develop in China.

"We have three people in the final and won two medals. I think it is good for the sport in China, so I am very happy," she said.

Bronze medalist Lyu's qualification time would have won her the gold medal if she had produced the result tonight. She admitted that she tried a bit too hard in the qualification.

"I competed so hard in the qualification and got brilliant result, which left me a little fatigued both physically and mentally," said the Beijing world championships silver medalist.