Canada's Sarah Mitton repeats as world indoor shot put champion

Canada's Sarah Mitton won her second straight women's indoor shot put championship — throwing over 20 metres three times at the competition on Friday in Nanjing, China

Her championship-clinching throw came on her last attempt, which travelled 20.48m.

That also represents Mitton's third-best throw of her career, behind two 20.68m throws achieved both indoors and outdoors.

World leader Jessica Schilder of the Netherlands (20.07m) won the silver medal and two-time world champion Chase Jackson (20.06m) bagged bronze. Friday's final marked the first time since 1991 that all three medallists in the event recorded throws that surpassed 20 metres.

WATCH | Mitton successfully defends her world indoor shot put title in China:

Nova Scotia's Sarah Mitton successfully defends her world indoor shot put title in China

After a disappointing 12th-place performance in Paris, Mitton, of Brooklyn, N.S., had been making a statement this indoor season. She came into Friday's final ranked second in the world and was on medal-winning streak in the World Athletics Indoor Tour across Europe.

"The exciting thing about women's shot is that we're having a moment right now," Mitton said prior to the event. "[There's been] some really big throws so early in the season, so I'd say it's an entirely different competition than last year so I'm going to have to be at my best to do that."

Mitton, the Canadian record-holder, said she also saw Nanjing as a "precursor" for the outdoor season and world championships this fall. 

However, "world indoors right now is about leaving a bit of a legacy behind," writing her name permanently into the books as a champion.