Canada's Sarah Mitton wins gold in shot put at world indoor championships

Sarah Mitton set a Canadian record and claimed the gold medal in women's shot put at the world athletics indoor championships on Friday.

Mitton's record throw, on her sixth and final attempt, measured 20.22 metres.

The reigning Commonwealth and Pan American Games champion from Brooklyn, N.S., initially set a new national record on her fourth throw of 20.20, which would have been good enough to secure the gold medal.

"It's really exciting in the last round when you know you're in the lead and you get that last throw and you know you've already won the competition … You can just put everything into it because no matter what you do, you're still the champion," Mitton said in a TV interview following her victory.

Yemisi Ogunleye of Germany won silver with a throw of 20.19, while Chase Jackson of the United States claimed bronze with a throw of 19.67.

"It feels amazing to win my first global title,” said Mitton. “I’m really excited by the distances all the women are throwing. It always comes down to small margins.

“Scotland’s definitely my new favourite place outside of Nova Scotia. I’ll be coming back.”

Ogunleye led from the outset, opening with her throw that would eventually capture the silver medal.

Mitton opened in third place at 19.40. She fouled in round two but improved to 19.81 before taking the lead for good in the fourth round.

The 27-year-old Mitton had competed in four events leading up to the indoor championships, with her last resetting her national indoor record to 20.08 metres from 19.80 on Feb. 20 in Czechia.

The result was the second-leading mark in the world entering these championships behind the Netherlands' Jessica Schilder at 20.31.

Schilder finished fifth Friday with a throw of 19.37.