BERLIN (AP):

Robert Hartig came up with a huge throw on his final attempt to win the men's discus yesterday at the World Championships, then ripped off his shirt in celebration.

Trailing Piotr Malachowski of Poland since the first round, Hartig stepped into the pit on this sixth attempt and hurled the discus 69.43 metres to best Malachowski's toss of 69.15.

"I couldn't allow someone else to win here," said the Berlin native, who was a silver medallist in 2007.

Show of strength

After ripping off his shirt to celebrate Germany's 50th all-time gold medal at the World Championships, Hartig lifted the championships' mascot, a brown bear, off the ground - by its feet.

Malachowski, working with an injured index finger on his throwing hand, had one attempt left to reclaim the top position after Hartig took the lead, but could only manage a throw of 67.33 and had to settle for the silver.

"After the first throw I really thought I was going to be the champion and then, like always, I ended up second," said the Pole, who took silver at last year's Beijing Olympics. "It was a good competition. It didn't end as I wanted it to, but it's OK."

Olympic and defending world champion Gerd Kanter of Estonia finished third with a best throw of 66.88.

Hartig said it might take a while for his achievement - a season's best on his first throw and personal best on the toss that brought him the World Championship - to sink in.

"I think I need a few days," the German said. "Of course, I'm extremely happy."