Norway's Andreas Thorkildsen won men's javelin throw gold

Norway's Andreas Thorkildsen won the men's javelin throw gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games here on Saturday.

The Athens Games champion defended his title with a throw of 90.57 meters, and broke the Olympic record. Latovia's Ainars Kovals took the silver with 86.64 meters and Finland's Tero Pitkamaki won the bronze with 86.16.

The 26-year-old veteran had taken the lead since the first attempt, and his domination had never been threatened throughout the race. He threw an amazing 90.57 meters in his fifth trials. With an effort enough to break the Olympic record, he dropped his last chance and clinched the gold.

Kovals surprised everyone with 86.64 in his last chance to edge Pitkamaki, the 2007 world champion, for the silver medal.