Athletics: Faumuina into final after just one throw

8.15am - By KEVIN NORQUAY

ATHENS - New Zealand flagbearer Beatrice Faumuina has wasted no time qualifying for her second consecutive Olympic Games discus final, taking just one throw to get the job done.

Faumuina, 29, looked all business as she entered the throwing circle, a grim frown etched on her usually cheerful face.

She hit a good throw first up -- 64.07 metres straight down the middle of the stadium where she won her world title in 1997.

Initially, Faumuina, ranked seventh in the world this year, did not seem certain she had beaten the 62.50m automatic qualifying mark.

Once it was confirmed she was in the tomorrow's final, she put her tracksuit back on and packed it in for the night.

Faumuina is seeking redemption in Athens, after throwing well below her best in Sydney four years ago, where she finished last in the 12-strong final.

She is the best New Zealand prospect for a track and field medal.

The throw left Faumuina third in her group after first placed Vera Pospisilova Cechlova of the Czech Republic (64.48m) and the Russian Natalya Sadova (64.33m)

After the second group of qualifiers threw, Faumuina emerged the fifth best qualifier for the final.

- NZPA