RIO DE JANEIRO: Croatia´s Sandra Perkovic overcame nerves and early fouls to successfully defend her Olympic discus title on Tuesday, winning with a best throw of a 69.21 metres.
The 26-year-old hot favourite fumbled her first two throws and was one foul away from early elimination in the final before hurling the medal-winning throw with her third effort.
Perkovic, who has dominated women´s discuss since winning gold in the London Games, recorded five foul throws from six attempts but still won by 2.48 metres.
France´s Melina Robert-Michon set a national record of 66.73 metres to take silver, while Cuba´s reigning world champion Denia Caballero grabbed bronze.