The Dutch thrower saved her best for last in Tokyo to win her first world title.

Two-time European champion Jessica Schilder claimed her first world title in the women’s shot put at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 with a dramatic final-round performance.

For much of the competition, it was New Zealand’s Maddison-Lee Wesche who looked on course for victory. The Olympic silver medallist opened with a strong 20.06m, matching her personal best, and remained in the lead through five rounds. It mirrored her experience at the Paris Olympics, where she also led late before being overtaken in the final round.

Schilder, sitting back in fifth place with a best of 19.51m, stepped into the circle for her last attempt and delivered when it mattered most. Her throw of 20.29m was the farthest of the competition and her best at a major championship, catapulting her straight into the gold medal position.

Schilder said: "I still cannot believe it has happened. Not because I was not prepared, but I became ill last week. I had a fever for three days. That is why my confidence was lower and I didn't think it was possible anymore to get a medal here. But my coach said that nothing is impossible and I believed him 100 per cent.

"Even after not such a good start to the final I said that I'm going to try until the end. And it worked. Being in fifth position before the last round I thought, 'No, I don't want to meddle with this. I have to end the season on a high note.'

"I wanted a world championships medal so badly and I had to do it. You don't have a chance like this very often."

Some athletes appeared to struggle with the competition format, as both the qualification round and final were held on the same day, with qualification in the morning and the final that evening.

Despite the quick turnaround, USA’s Chase Jackson, a two-time defending world champion, responded immediately with her best effort of the evening, 20.21m, which secured the silver and pushed Wesche down to third. Despite leading for almost the entire competition, the New Zealander had to settle for bronze once again.

Jackson said: "I struggled a bit having qualifications and the final today. Still, I am happy to produce my best in the last round. That felt really good because I usually never manage to do that. It was one of the hardest days of my life. It was really close but there were some hesitations.

"After the qualifications, I was a bit 'messy', so I tried to use my roller, but we had just six hours before the final and I had to keep moving. I am really happy to win silver. This is the medal I've had to work on the hardest. I am always coming out to win.

"I was crying but those were tears of joy. Certain medals just mean a lot, and this one means a lot. That's how hard it was for me to grab it. I hope I can work on my endurance to be ready for future events with two rounds on the same day. I want to win the world gold in Beijing in 2027."