If previous form is to be believed, then the girls heptathlon should come down to a head-to-head duel between world youth leaders Ukraine s Alina Shukh and Austria s Sarah Lagger.

If history is any indication, Russia is once again the strong favourite in this event.

Yu Yuzhen set a world youth best of 61.97m with the 500g implement at the Asian Youth Championships in Doha in May and starts a clear favourite in Cali.

Armed with three throws to her credit beyond 71 metres this season, Sofiya Palkina arrives in Cali as the overwhelming favourite.

Kristina Rakocevic arrives in a strong position to leave Cali as a double champion.

The girls shot put is shaping into a battle between the two most consistent putters in the world, Montenegro s Kristina Rakocevic and Germany s Julia Ritter.