London, Aug 4 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Poland's Tomasz Majewski retained his Olympic shot put title Friday, snatching gold by just three centimeters with a throw of 21.89 meters.

Majewski, 30, had led by an even narrower 1-centimeter margin over Germany's world champion David Storl, but extended it to three with his final throw.

"It was very close - millimeters," Majewski said. "It always very hard when you have great guys like these."

Storl, who threw 21.86 for silver, said the strength of the competition took him by surprise.

"I can't believe it. Last year I was well matched, but the competition this year was tough. I expected they would be good, but didn't realise just how good."

Veteran U.S. athlete Reese Hoffa, 34, took the bronze with a throw of 21.23 meters.

"I cannot tell you how hard it was to finally get a medal," said Hoffa, who took world championship gold in Moscow in 2006.

"To get a medal in London is awesome. This might be my last Olympic Games."Majewski gold was Poland's second of the Games, and comes an hour after Adrian Zielinski's first place in weightlifting.

Majewski becomes the first man since to retain the shot put title since America's Parry O'Brien 56 years ago.