As expected, Svetlana Krivelyova of Russia proved too good in the women's shot put at the World Athletics Championships, at the Stade de France, on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old veteran, who was Olympic champion in 1992, silver medallist at the Stuttgart World championships in 1993, and bronze medallist in Tokyo in 1991 and Seville in 1999, won with much to spare, hurling the spheroid to a distance of 20.63 metres.

Nadezhda Ostapchuk of Belarus, who was best in the qualifiers with a throw of 19.56 metres, had a personal best of 20.12 metres but had to settle for silver.

Vita Pavlysh of the Ukraine, with an effort of 20.08 metres, bagged the bronze.

Former Olympic and World champion Astrid Kumbernuss of Germany failed to qualify for the final round after finishing only seventh in her group with a throw of 17.83 metres.

Photograph: Getty images