Schlebusch opened his account with a heave of 72.31m and enjoyed a very consistent evening with throws of 70.83m, 72.61m and 70.34m to stay in medal contention.

He did, however, save the best for last.

His penultimate throw was measured at exactly 74.00m and this ensured him of the silver. 

With his very last attempt he bettered that distance by 1.68m to achieve a personal best distance of 75.68m.

While he had a great evening in Kenya, he was only bettered by China’s Zhekai Liu who won the gold with a massive 77.54m throw during his second attempt and this too was a personal best.

Liu’s compatriot, Qingshu Song, rounded off the podium with a best throw of 73.64m to earn the bronze.

Schlebusch was the only athlete in the 16-man field to have recorded successful throws on all six attempts.

The other South African in the field, Joshua Maas, finished in 14th with a best throw of 59.55m.

In the boys shot put Jonathan de Lacey of Helpmekaar College in Johannesburg clinched bronze with a heave of 19.93m (PB). 

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport