Shot-putter Sola finishes last

Samoan shot-putter Shaka Sola caused a stir at the World Championships in Helsinki today – by finishing last in the javelin.

Luckless Sola believed he had blown his chance on the big stage after missing his flight and with it shot-put qualifying on Saturday night.

But kind-hearted officials allowed Sola his chance in an alternative event to the delight of the javelin-crazy Finnish fans.

Sola‘s 41.18metres effort was a lifetime best – hardly surprising as it was the first time he had picked up a javelin in his life.

Sola said: “I missed the plane so I missed the shot – (gold medallist) Adam Nelson was a very lucky man that I wasn‘t there.

“When I got here my manager promptly put me in the javelin. And you couldn‘t tell could you? I‘m a good javelin thrower.”

Sola predictably finished propping up the qualifying round leaderboard which was headed – 44 metres further on – by Russian Sergey Makarov.

Sola added: “It was a great day but seriously I am pretty disappointed about missing the shot. I know I wouldn‘t have won but I would have got a personal best.”