European Athletics (EA) – News – World-leading 70.53m by Abakumova in Berlin (ISTAF BERLIN)

European athletes notched up eight wins at the IAAF World Challenge meeting in Berlin but the undoubted star of the show in the German capital on Sunday was the Russian javelin thrower Maria Abakumova.

Abakumova, the 2011 world champion but just third in the defence of her title in Moscow, launched her spear out to a meeting record of 68.82m in the first round and then improved in round four to 70.53m.

It was the first throw over 70 metres this year and the best throw in the world for almost two years. In fact, the longest since Abakhumova herself won her world title in Daegu.

It was the Russian’s fourth consecutive victory since below-par outing in Moscow, where she admitted nerves got the better of her.

“My technical coach has told me all year long that I can throw 70 metres this season: and he was right,” said Abakumova.

“I have to admit that I am thinking about the world record now. My family and my whole team help me believe I can make this dream come true.”

The world record has been in the name of Czech Republic’s Barbora Spotakova since 2008 with a mark of 72.28m.

Local hero Christina Obergföll, who won an emotional victory in Moscow, again has had problems raising her game in the wake of her World Championships triumph, and was third with 63.30m.

She finished behind her compatriot and 2010 European champion Linda Stahl, second with her last round effort of 65.35m.

“Since Moscow, I have found it hard to stay focused,” admitted Obergföll.

“The years before, I have been the one who has set big marks after the top event. This year it’s the other way round.”

In the women’s hammer, all eyes were on Berlin’s own world record holder Betty Heidler, who threw 74.62m in the second round to take the lead. However, she couldn’t improve and eventually ended up in third place.

Poland’s Anita Wlodarczyk, who has fond memories of the Olympic stadium as it was there that she won her 2009 world title with what was then a world record, took the lead in the fourth round with 75.16m and finished off with throws of 76.05m and 77.15m.

Russia’s current world and Olympic champion Tatyana Lysenko came through to snatch second place with 74.89m.

Another recently-crowned world champion, discus thrower Robert Harting, was also put under pressure, albeit briefly.

Harting’s German compatriot Martin Wierig, fourth at the World Championships and who had also defeated Harting earlier in the season, took the lead in the fourth round with a throw of 66.73m.

However, Harting responded with an excellent 69.02m to clinch the victory.

There were also home victories for two-time world champion shot putter David Storl and long jumper Christian Reif.

Storl came from behind to beat the Czech Republic’s Ladislav Prasil, who had four attempts beyond 20 metres with a best of 20.79m.

But he could not beat the highly motivated German in front of his home crowd as Storl reached 20.91m in the fourth round which turned out to be the winning effort.

Ralf Bartels finished fifth with 19.08m in his last international competition after having decided, at the age of 35, to end his career in Berlin.

“My goal for today was to have fun and to surpass 19 metres,” said the 2006 European champion. “That’s what I did, so I am happy.”

Reif, the 2010 European champion, leapt out to 8.11m with his last attempt to win from South Africa’s Godfrey Mokoena by three centimetres.

In the women’s 1500m, Russia’s World University Games champion Yekaterina Sharmina took the honours and came first in 4:10.45 after a strong finish over the final 50 metres.

Great Britain’s Hannah England finished second in 4:10.80.

 

European Athletics (EA) – News