The record lasted until September when Greek thrower Sofia Sakorafa reached 74.20 meters.

The following year, Lillak again broke the world record, throwing 74.76 meters in Tampere on June 13.

At the 1983 World Championships in Athletics held in Helsinki, Lillak became the champion in front of her home crowd when she threw for 70.82 meters on her last attempt leaving Britain's second placed Fatima Whitbread in tears at track side as she went running off down the track celebrating with the ecstatic crowd.

The whole season was a success for Lillak, who threw over 70 meters in 16 separate competitions and didn't lose a single time[clarify].

In the 1991 World Championships in Athletics, Lillak did not pass the qualifying round (in fact, she did not throw over 62 meters the entire season).