World Athletics Championships

Great Britain's Sophie Hitchon upbeat despite medal near miss in Beijing

Published: August 28 2015 | 04:59

Last updated: August 28 2015 | 08:24

British hammer thrower Sophie Hitchon looks on the bright side as she says that breaking a national record softened the blow of missing out on a medal in Beijing.

Record-breaking Sophie Hitchon has refused to be downbeat over failing to secure a podium finish in the women's hammer throw at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing.

The Briton reached Thursday's final with ease but could only manage a fourth-place finish as Poland's Anita Wlodarczyk dominated the field en route to winning gold.

However, the 24-year-old, whose score of 73.86m broke the British record, insists that she "could not be happier" with her performance despite missing out on a medal.

Hitchon, who was pipped to bronze by France's Alexandra Tavernier on 74.02m, wrote on Twitter: "It finally came together. So close to a medal but I could not be happier with 4th place, best series ever and a PB."

China's Zhang Wenxiu bagged the silver with 76.33m, but none of the field could rival Wlodarczyk, whose 80.85m set a new championship record.