European Athletics (EAA) – News – Hussong rules javelin with championship record in Lille

In Christin Hussong Germany may have identified a flag-bearer to carry forward the country’s rich legacy of javelin throwing after the teenager set a new championship record of 59.74m at the World Youth Championships in Lille, France, on Thursday.

The 17-year-old put together the best series of her career in the final, a competition in which she threw over 57 metres three times.

Her victory ended a 12-year title draught for Germany since Olivia Norris's success at the first youth championships in 1999.

With her best throw Hussong raised the championship record of 56.82m, which China's Juan Xue set in Sherbrooke, Canada, eight years ago.

Hussong took charge of the event with an opener of 56.54m and then, when the field had been whittled down to the last eight, she improved that to 57.84m, 58.09m and rounded off a great night's work throwing 59.74m.

"At the first attempt I just wanted to do a good throw to show the other athletes that I was in form," said Hussong. "I didn't expect to beat the championship record."

Sofi Flinck of Sweden and Australia’s Monique Cilione raised their own standards when setting PBs of 54.62m and 52.77m but Hussong, now fifth on the all-time list, was just too good for her rivals on the night.

Switzerland’s Noemi Zbären, who produced a world leading time of 13.31 during the heats of the 100m hurdles, had to settle for a second behind an inspired Trinity Wilson of the United States who clocked the second fastest youth time in history of 13.11 to win the gold medal.

Only France’s Adrianna Lamalle, who ran 13.08 seconds at the inaugural World Youth Championships 12 years ago, has ever gone faster in this age category.

However the Swiss was unfazed by the outstanding burst of pace from the American and she ran the race of her career, clocking a national record 13.17, the fourth fastest time ever recorded, claiming Switzerland’s first medal ever at the World Youth Championships.

European Athletics  (EAA) – News