Poland's Pawel Fajdek won with a season-best mark of 81.97 metres, blowing away his competitors, including the top favourite, Krisztian Pars of Hungary, who had been unbeaten at 24 consecutive meets until today.

Pars took second with a best throw of 80.30 metres, while Lukaš Melich of the Czech Republic took the bronze with a throw of 79.36 metres.

With the exception of 2010, when he was out of competition, the fourth place makes for the first year since 2006 that the 33-year-old Kozmus has missed out on a medal at a major competition.

"The fact is that the other competitors beat me today," said the silver-medallist from the 2012 Summer Olympics Games in London. "I have to admit I'm disappointed, but one must also be able to accept losses."

Kozmus said he was unable to produce his best throw in the Luzhniki Stadium. "There is no excuse, I was primed for a better result, but I could not produce. I didn't find the right touch," he said.

Despite the disappointment, the veteran thrower said he was "looking to the future with good feelings", although he did not make a firm commitment regarding his career.

"I have one more meet this year, on 21 August in Dubnica, then I will decide how to proceed. I have to ponder on this World Championships and then make a plan for the future," said Kozmus.