MOSCOW, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Robert Harting of Germany proved his high-level consistency as he claimed the third straight discus world title at the 2013 IAAF World Championships here on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old German, 2009 and 2011 World champion and also reigning Olympic and European champion, threw the winning mark of 69.11 meters in the fourth round and bowed out with 69.08m.

Poland's Piotr Malachowski, 30, took the silver with a fifth round effort of 68.36, far below his world leading mark of 71.84 achieved at the IAAF World Challenge meeting in Hengelo where he gave Harting the first defeat for nearly three years.

Gerd Kanter of Estonia, gold medalist at 2008 Beijing Olympics, notched the bronze with a second round effort of 65.19. The 34- year-old veteran never managed to make a successful throw in the following four round.