Primoz Kozmus confirms his world No.1 spot in the hammer with a 79.80m victory (© Getty Images)
World and Olympic Champion Primoz Kozmus (Slovenia) took the Hammer Throw and became the winner of the IAAF/VTB Bank World Athletics Final for the second time in a row. Last year in Stuttgart he had missed the 80m mark by just one centimetre, this time in Thessaloniki 79.80m were good enough for the winner’s prize of $30,000.
The men’s Hammer Throw was the first event on day two of the IAAF/VTB Bank World Athletics Final.
Primoz Kozmus had opened the competition with a 76.81m throw with which he was second behind Igors Sokolovs (Latvia), who had started with 78.07m. In round two the Olympic champion restored the order. Kozmus hit the 80m line with his hammer, though the measurement came up with a slightly shorter result: But 79.80m was good enough to take the lead and as it turned out far enough for victory as well.
Sokolovs tried his best to match Kozmus’ mark and improved to 78.84m in round three and even further to 79.32m at his final attempt. But there was no danger for Kozmus. While Sokolovs settled for second Kristian Pars (Hungary) was third with 77.49.
“I am in great form. After Berlin I also won here and now everyone wants to beat me. Hopefully more wins will come for me in the future,” said Primoz Kozmus.
It was not the day of Ali Mohamed Al-Zinkawi (Kuwait). After recent fine form and improvements up to 79.74m he this time fauled three times and had to be content with a first round throw of 73.61m and eighth place.
Jörg Wenig for the IAAF
