The German took gold in Edmonton with a championship record, beating Lithuania's Virgilijus Alekna into second place, with another German, Michael Moellenbeck, in third.

Riedel, 34, improved throughout the competition as he chased and overtook Alekna's impressive mark of 69.40m.

"Discus is my game, it is what I want to do, it is not the end yet," vowed the 1996 Olympic champion, who won with a fifth-round throw of 69.72m.

"All my titles are quite big accomplishments but today I beat one of my toughest competitors I have ever faced and that makes this maybe the best of all."

Riedel was world champion from 1991 to 1997 but had to settle for bronze in Seville two years ago.