Athletics: Gill nets another world title

Jacko Gill is in next week's world under-18 champs. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's Jacko Gill dominated his opposition to land the shot put title by a staggering four metres at the world youth athletics championship in Lille, France overnight.

The 16-year-old, who is also the world junior champion, shattered his own under-18 world record to throw 24.35 metres despite being hindered by an injury to a finger on his throwing right hand.

Gill's previous record of 23.86m was beaten on three occasions in his six throws in the final with his second effort setting the new mark.

Such was his dominance that his winning effort was 4m better than his nearest rival and his worst throw, a 21.99m effort was still 1.6m ahead of second.

He becomes the second New Zealander after Valerie Adams in 2001 and 2002 to hold the world youth and world junior titles.

After two days of competition, New Zealand lies fourth on the points table, with all of the points coming from Gill and Auckland shot-putter Siositina Hakeai who was seventh on the opening day.

Hurdler Joshua Hawkins was the only other New Zealander on the second day, and finished second in his heat of the 110m hurdles in 13.71 seconds to advance to the semifinals later tonight (NZT).

Hawkins also competes in the 200m heats today with pole vaulters Nicholas Southgate and Pascal Kethers also in action.