PHOTOS: Harting rips his way to third straight discus gold

Germany's Robert Harting won his third successive World discus title in impressive style when his 69.11 metre throw, the fourth-longest of the season, proved too good for perennial runner-up Piotr Malachowski of Poland, who took another silver, at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow on Tuesday.

- World Athletics Championships

Harting, also the Olympic and European champion and World runner-up in 2007, is the most consistent performer all season, but with Malachowski, the only man to break 70 metres this year, it was always likely to be close.

The German set the early pace with a 68.13-metre second throw, then, after clattering his third into the cage, launched his gold-winning fourth.

Malachowski responded strongly but his 68.36 effort was not enough, and Harting, with the title in the bag, sent his final throw 68.08.

Former World and Olympic champion Gerd Kanter of Estonia took the bronze with 65.19 metres.

Harting then toyed with a mass of photographers waiting for his now-trademark celebration and duly delivered by ripping off his vest before starting his lap of honour.

After winning the discus throw gold at the London Olympics too Harting went on a victory tear by ripping off his shirt, sprinting down the track, and jumping over hurdles.

Then 27 years of age, the German cleared 68.27 meters to take first place.

He also won the gold medal in the 2011 World Athletics Championships in Daegu with a best throw of 68.97.

His gold medal at the Worlds was in Berlin in 2009 with a best throw of 69.43, while he settled for silver two years ago in Osaka.

His way of celebrating surely deserves a gold!