Vili loses at Doha

New Zealand shotputter Valerie Vili lost her world championship indoor crown at Doha on Sunday, ending a run of 28 wins.

Vili finished second to Belorussian rival Nadzeya Ostapchuk, the bronze medalist at the Beijing Olympic Games, who managed to overcome three no-throws to pass Vili's best throw of 20.49m with her last two throws.

Ostapchuk was the last athlete to beat Vili at the 2007 world athletics championships.

Vili opened with a no-throw while Ostapchuk threw 20.24m.

However, it was another Belorussian Natallia Mikhnevich, the silver medallist in Beijing, who took the early lead with her first throw of 20.42m.

Vili claimed the lead with a throw of 20.45m with her second attempt and then backed that up with 20.41m with her third.

But Ostapchuk threw 20.68 with her fifth attempt and then went one better with her last throw of 20.85.

The Kiwi and Ostapchuk were the only throwers to throw over 20m with each put.