NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athlete and world discus champion Dani Samuels resumed competition last night at the Rieti Grand Prix in Italy.

Samuels placed third in the women’s discus behind two athletes who claimed silver behind her at the 2009 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Berlin and 2009 World University Games in Belgrade.

Samuels’ best throw of 61.60m was well adrift of the mark she set in Berlin, but still maintained consistency throughout the competition.

All four of Samuels’ valid throws were above 60m, a feat which no other competitors could match.

The event was won by Yarelis Barrios of Cuba, with Zaneta Glanc of Poland finishing second.

It was a star studded line-up which included world champion Samuels, three finalists from the world championships and Olympic champion Stephanie Brown Trafton of the USA.

As world champion, Samuels’ admitted she felt the pressure in Rieti and just didn’t relax in the competition.

She knows there is expectation, but at just 21 years, she is young in terms of international senior experience.

Samuels, from Merrylands in Sydney's west, should now receive an invitation to compete in the upcoming IAAF World Athletics Final in Thessaloniki, Greece, this weekend.

NSWIS