World leads by Cantwell, Stuczynski in Modesto – 4.70m vault for Jenn Stuczynski

Modesto, USA – Pole vaulting events and the Men’s Shot Put have been the mainstays of the California Invitational Relays in recent years, so it was not surprising that these same events took centre stage on Saturday (10) in the 67th edition of the yearly fixture in Modesto, in California’s warm central valley.

(After a number of years as the Modesto Relays, the competition has reverted to a variation of its original name, the California Relays.)

as two of the highlights during the warm (30C) afternoon competition.

21.76m effort by Cantwell

Cantwell eschewed a place in this weekend’s Grand Prix meeting in Doha, preferring to stay at home to compete. The result was a world-leading 21.76m, surpassing the 21.48m posted by his top American rival, Osaka champion Reese Hoffa, which came on Friday at the Qatar meeting. It was Cantwell’s third consecutive win in his four Modesto appearances.

After leading off with a 20.93m, Cantwell let loose with his big throw and a big yell, also gesticulating in a way that only comes when a thrower has produced a supreme effort.