Weltklasse Zurich off to the right start! Adams and Armstrong win the shot put – national record for Ott!

Electric atmosphere at Zurich Main Station. The shot put competitors wowed the crowd: the athletes in both the women’s and men’s event put on a grandiose show and impressive results!

Valerie Adams (NZL) remains unbeaten in her 14th competition since her last defeat at Weltklasse Zurich in 2010. However, with her result of 20.51 m she beat last year’s winner, Nadezhda Ostapchuk (BLR) by a mere 3cm. The Olympic and world champion from New Zealand, who trains in Magglingen this year, also prevailed in the overall Diamond League ranking. She received her award,  the Diamond League Trophy, by her Swiss coach, Jean-Pierre Egger. The award ceremony was one of many emotional moments of an exciting shot put event.

In the men’s competition, world championship silver medallist and world leader Dylan Armstrong (CAN), catapulted himself to the leading position with his final throw of 21.63 m. The top five throwers’ results were all within a difference of 40 cm only.

Young talent Gregori Ott provided the audience with another emotional highlight. Before the event at Zurich’s main station, his U18 Swiss record stood at 19.18 m. Ott had voiced his secret ambition for the event at a media conference one day prior to the competition: 20.00m. In the second round, cheers erupted after the results was displayed: 20.00m! His success (he used a 5 kg shot, which is standard for his category) puts him in 6th place on the U18 top list.