Price becomes first American woman to win hammer world title

Athletics - World Athletics Championships - Doha 2019 - Women's Hammer Throw Final - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - September 28, 2019 DeAnna Price of the U.S. celebrates winning gold REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari

DOHA (Reuters) - DeAnna Price won the women's hammer at the world athletics championships on Saturday to become the first U.S. athlete to claim the title.

Price, who led qualifying with 73.77 metres, threw 77.54 metres with her third attempt as she took advantage of the absence of four-times world champion Anita Wlodarczyk who was sidelined with injury.

The 26-year-old, who celebrated in front of fans with an American flag draped around her shoulders, had emerged as favourite after setting the season's best and North American record of 78.24 metres to win the U.S. title in late July.

Athletics - World Athletics Championships - Doha 2019 - Women's Hammer Throw Final - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - September 28, 2019 DeAnna Price of the U.S. celebrates winning gold REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Joana Fiodorow was second with a personal best of 76.35 and China's Wang Zheng took bronze with 74.76.

Wlodarczyk has dominated the sport in recent years, winning the last two Olympic golds and four of the last five world championship titles.

Athletics - World Athletics Championships - Doha 2019 - Women's Hammer Throw Final - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - September 28, 2019 DeAnna Price of the U.S. in action REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

(Writing by Brian Homewood; Editing by David Holmes)

Athletics - World Athletics Championships - Doha 2019 - Women's Hammer Throw Final - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - September 28, 2019 DeAnna Price of the U.S., Poland's Joanna Fiodorow and China's Zheng Wang celebrate after winning gold, silver and bronze respectively REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Athletics - World Athletics Championships - Doha 2019 - Women's Hammer Throw Final - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - September 28, 2019 DeAnna Price of the U.S. in action REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach