China's Gong retains shot put title by eight cm

By Brian Homewood

DOHA (Reuters) - China's Gong Lijiao retained her world shot put title but got a fright when Jamaica's Danniel Thomas-Dodd nearly pipped her to gold with her last attempt on Thursday.

Gong, who has won 13 of her 14 competitions this season, led from the first round with a throw of 19.07 metres, bettered that with 19.42 on her second and then managed 19.55 with her fourth.

She had an anxious moment, however, when Thomas-Dodd threw a personal best of 19.47 metres, missing out by eight centimetres.

Germany's Christine Schwanitz, who has taken time away from competing and had a child since she won the world title in 2015, claimed the bronze with 19.17.

(Writing by Brian Homewood; Editing by Ken Ferris)