Natalya Sadova claimed her first major title in the women's discus finishing more than a metre clear of the field.

The Russian laid to rest her reputation as the nearly-woman of discus throwing with a fourth-round effort of 68.57m to clinch gold.

Forty-year-old Ellina Zvereva from Belarus, who in Sydney last year became the oldest woman to win an Olympic gold in athletics, had to settle for silver this time.

Her best throw was 67.10m, with Romania's Nicoleta Grasu winning the bronze with 66.24m.

Zvereva had led the competition from round two, until Sadova's throw, which was the best in the world this year.

Sadova won Olympic silver in 1996 and world bronze in 1997, but apart from four victories in the European Cup, she had never before made it to the top of the victory podium.

"I felt strong in the early rounds but I did not feel I could throw much further. But then I surprised myself," said Sadova.