Czech Spotakova stunned by win

By Simon Evans

BEIJING (Reuters) - Barbora Spotakova of the Czech Republic won the women's javelin gold medal Thursday with a dramatic last throw of 71.42 meters that left her shocked by her own success.

The world champion overtook Russian Maria Abakumova whose 70.78 meter throw proved only to be good enough for a silver medal. Germany's Christina Obergfoll took the bronze medal with her throw of 66.13 meters.

Spotakova, watched by Czech triple Olympic gold medalist Jan Zelezny, the man credited with encouraging her to quite heptathlon to focus on the javelin, said she was stunned.

"I don't know how I did it. I can tell you honestly, I don't know how I did it," she told reporters.

"I usually win with my first throw, I've never won with my last attempt, this is the first time," she said.

"It was very hard and I had many doubts as I didn't throw so well at the start. I won in the world championships but to be an Olympic gold medalist is so much bigger," she said.

Cuban Osleidys Menendez, the 2004 gold medalist and world record holder, was never in serious contention for a medal and ended in sixth place behind German Steffi Nerius and Britain's Goldie Sayers.

Russian Abakumova, a 22-year-old and relative newcomer, was agonizingly close to a surprise gold.

"There were so many thoughts in my head saying 'Is this my day, can I be the gold medalist?' They kept popping up until the very last moment," said silver medalist Abakumova.

"I gave it my all and I'm satisfied with my result," she said.

(Editing by Keith Weir)