THE Cupra performance brand has always represented the fastest and most dynamic interpretations of the SEAT range - but can it beat a world champion?

To find out, the Spanish brand pitted its latest Leon 2.0-litre TSI Cupra against a world-record holder, Czech javelin thrower and Olympic gold medalist Barbora Spotakova.

Both car and javelin would race side-by-side over a 70 metre 'sprint' to see if the athlete or the car would be on top of the podium.

With 300hp from its 2.0 TSI engine the Cupra is capable of mighty acceleration, blasting to 62mph from rest in only 4.9 seconds and setting a record for the fastest front-wheel-drive hatchback around the infamous Nurburgring.

Yet SEAT brand ambassador Barbora, six foot and a former heptathlete at junior level, is capable of propelling her javelin at over 56mph - and has held the women's javelin world record of 72.28m since 2008.

The two were brought together in the Czech Republic's national football stadium to find out which would reach the finish line first.

On her first throw Barbora clocked over 50 mph, covering the 60 metres to the finish line in a fraction over five seconds. But it's wasn't quick enough to beat the Cupra - the car took a 1-0 lead.

Throw two and Barbora raised the bar. Spearing out of her hand at more than 23ft per second, the Javelin thudded into the turf having crossed finish line a matter of inches in front of the Cupra, despite it repeating its 62 mph rapid sprint time.

With the score dead level at one victory each, the starter raised his pistol for the final time. A perfect launch for the car was matched by Barbora's throw, sending her javelin soaring at 56mph through the air - but it' was not enough to defeat the Leon Cupra, which blasted across the line ahead of the spear.

Magnanimous in defeat, Barbora said she was always prepared to take on a challenge with a difference. "Two that stand out are returning to sports after the birth of my son, and training for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games following an injury just five months before competing," she said. "My life is full of challenges."