Frantz Kruger, the South African discus record holder, recorded his best performance in three appearances at the IAAF World Athletics final in Monaco on Friday night when he finished in fifth spot with a throw of 63,19m.
He came eighth in 2004, and sixth in 2003, when the meeting was held for the first time.
World and Olympic champion Virgilijus Alekna, of Lithuania, came out on top once again with a winning throw of 67,64m.
Surita Febbraio, the other South African in action on the opening day of the meeting, finished a disappointing last in the 400m hurdles, clocking 56,83 seconds. Lashinda Demus, the American champion, won first prize with a time of 53,37 seconds and the first-place cheque of $30 000.
Three more South African athletes, Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (800m), LJ van Zyl (400m hurdles) and Jacques Freitag (high jump), will be in action on Saturday. — Sapa