Canada’s Armstrong reaches podium

Dylan Armstrong of Kamloops, B.C., won Canada’s first ever medal in the shot put on Friday at the world track and field championships in Daegu, South Korea.

Armstrong recorded a best throw of 21.64m, leading the competition until the final thrower of the final round. Germany’s David Storl overtook Armstrong with a massive effort of 21.78m, taking the gold and knocking the Canadian into the silver medal position.

Andrei Mikhnevich of Belarus took the bronze.

Armstrong entered the competition ranked No. 1 in the world, but he expressed his satisfaction with reaching the podium at a world senior event for the first time in his career. He was just one centimetre away from winning a medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, something still very much on his mind, heading into the 2012 London Games.

Meanwhile, Canada’s three women’s hurdlers — Perdita Felicien, Phylicia George and Nikita Holder — all advanced to the semifinals of the 100m hurdles.

Canada’s women’s 4x400m team of Adrienne Power, Esther Akinsule, Jenna Martin and Lemlem Ogbasilassie Bereket, finished fifth in their heat, eliminated from the competition. The team still matched their time from the 2010 Commonwealth Games, with a 3:27.94-performance, despite missing one of their regular runners. Amonn Nelson sprained her ankle in practice on Thursday, forcing the squad to use 800m-specialist Bereket in her place.

There was disappointment from the Canadian men in the 200m, as both Bryan Barnett and Jared Connaughton failed to advance past the heats. Jamaican Usain Bolt easily moved on in his heat, running his first race since being disqualified in the 100m final on Sunday.

Barnett and Connaughton will regroup to focus on the 4x100m relay, which begins on Saturday.