News14 Mar 2009


Wlodarczyk impresses with 75.05m Hammer effort in Los Realejos

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Anita Wlodarczyk in the Beijing Olympic final (© /Bongarts)

The European Cup Winter Throwing event scheduled for this weekend (14/15 March) opened today (14) with a remarkable performance signed by Poland’s Anita Wlodarczyk in the women’s Hammer Throw.

The 23-year-old Pole wore - like all her fellow compatriots - a black ribbon in memory of former Olympic champion Kamila Skolimowska, who passed away last month during a training session in Portugal.

The women’s Hammer – along with tomorrow’s men’s Discus Throw - was undoubtedly the most awaited event of the weekend as the start list included no less than five women who competed at the Beijing Olympics final.

Huge 2.25m improvement for Wlodarczyk

Wlodarczyk took the lead in round 3 thanks to a massive PB release of 74.54m to overcome Germany’s reigning World champion Betty Heidler’s opening efforts of 72.48m and 73.45m.

But the big news of the contest came in the final round when Wlodarczyk unleashed a massive 75.05m release to improve again her career best which remained at 72.80m until today. However, the performance set by the Beijing Olympics 6th placed came 1.78m off the Polish record held by Skolimowska.

While Heidler could not improve in her remaining attempts to be runner-up in 73.45m, Italy’s Silvia Salis took a surprise third in 71.67m, a PB by over one metre, thanks to her fifth release. Two other women exceeded the 70m barrier in a quality contest.

The Discus’ event witnessed the dominance of Romania’s Nicoleta Grasu. The former (2001) World silver medallist may be 37 years old but that didn’t prove to be barrier as she clinched a comfortable win in 62.61m (round 5) backing up her success with another 60.97m heave, still enough to better the furthest toss of Poland’s Zaneta Glanc, whose fifth throw effort was measured at 60.45m.

Kürthy denies local success

The men’s events didn’t offer quality performances today. Yet, the Shot Put contest provided the main focus of interest for the home crowd as the field included the former (2003) World indoor champion in the guise of Manuel Martínez and Borja Vivas, the newly minted Spanish indoor champion – defeating Martínez in the process.

After round 2, Martínez dominated with a 20.00m heave but the 22-year-old Hungarian Lajos Kürthy (PB of 20.78m) seemed to threaten the Spaniard, 12 years his senior, with a 19.86m attempt. Although Martínez strengthened his leaderships with two 19.95m releases, Kürthy closing toss proved to be lethal for Martínez as his effort was measured at 20.06m, enough to take top spot. As for Vivas, he was never a factor and ended an unnoticed seventh in 18.57m.

Meanwhile, the Javelin contest was taken by Tino Häber; the 26-year-old German (PB of 80.71m) lined up with five athletes holding better career bests but he was able to succeed thanks to his opening 77.78m throw. The second spot went for Estonia’s Mihkel Kukk with a 76.60m toss already set in round one.

Tomorrow late in the afternoon the European Cup Winter Throwing event might well reach its pinnacle with the much awaited presence of Estonia’s reigning Olympic Discus champion Gerd Kanter.

Emeterio Valiente for the IAAF

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