A strong performance in the final discipline -- the 800 metres -- allowed Jessica Zelinka of London, Ont., to finish ninth in the heptathlon at the world track and field championships in Daegu, South Korea, the highest placing ever by a Canadian.

Sitting eighth in the seven-event competition heading into Tuesday's final three disciplines, Zelinka pulled off a season-best 6.16 metres in the long jump. She threw only 39.59 metres in the javelin, but she capped things off by finishing third in the 800 in 2:12.62, giving her a final total of 6,268 points.

"I have it in me to get on the podium," she said. "I just need to put it all together in one consistent heptathlon; that is the most important thing I am taking away from this."

Also in the heptathlon was Ruky Abdulai of Coquitlam, B.C., who registered a new personal best of 6,212 points. In the 800, she ran a personal-best 2:15.29 to finish 13th overall in the heptathlon.

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