Sergey Makarov of Russia picked his first major title when he won the men's javelin throw at the World Athletics Championships in Paris on Sunday.

The Olympic bronze medallist's opening throw of 85.44 metres was good enough to give him the gold medal.

Estonian record holder Andrus Varnik won his country's second ever World championship medal, hurling the spear to a best of 85.17 metres. His winning effort too came with his first throw.

Germany's Boris Henry was third with 84.74 metres.

Three-time World and Olympic champion Jan Zelezny of the Czech Republic could only finish fourth with a distance of 84.09 metres.

Photograph: Getty Images