Defending champion Tatyana Lebedeva of Russia had little dfifficulty in retaining her triple jump crown at the World Athletics Championships at the Stade de Paris on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old 2000 Olympics silver medallist cleared a season best of 15.18 metres on her fourth jump to wrest the gold medal.

She went from strength to strength with each attempt, clearing 14.80 metres in her first, 14.97 in the second and 15.16 in her third.

Francoise Etome Mbango of Cameroon finished seocnd with a leap of 15.05 metres while Magdelin Martinez of Italy was third with a leap of 14.90 metres.

Photograph: Getty Images