Daniel Stahl in action in Turku (© Deca Text & Bild)
The world's best men's discus throwers, led by Sweden's Olympic and world champion Daniel Stahl, will meet at the Paavo Nurmi Games, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting, in Turku, Finland, on 14 June.
In the 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan and Nadine Visser will race Finland’s best women in the event, while the most successful athlete in the history of the sport, Anita Wlodarczyk, is the star of the women’s hammer throw.
While Stahl is not looking to lose in his mother's home town, winning will not be easy. Last year's world leader with 71.40m will be joined by the next three athletes on that season top list: Kristjan Ceh (70.35m), Simon Pettersson (69.48m) and Lukas Weisshaidinger (69.04m).
Stahl and Pettersson achieved a top two for Sweden in Tokyo last year, while Austria's Weisshaidinger achieved bronze and Ceh finshed fifth.
"Only two more to go: European Championships gold and world record!" Stahl pointed out, in regard to his goals last summer. Following the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in July, the European Championships will take place in Munich in August. Breaking Jurgen Schult's world record of 74.08m is not impossible.
"Anything is possible in Turku in June if his competition routine and confidence are in place," said athlete liaison Arttu Salonen.
"Equally strong results can be expected of Ceh, Pettersson and Weisshaidinger, who are also after the world and European titles."
Alongside the men's discus and javelin throw, the women's 100m hurdles has always been a favourite at the Paavo Nurmi Games. Top names for the upcoming competition are Nigeria's Amusan and Visser from the Netherlands, who placed fourth and fifth respectively at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, plus some of Finland's leading athletes.
Similar to the top Finnish athletes in the hurdles, recent national record-breaking Finnish hammer thrower Krista Tervo and world U20 champion Silja Kosonen are set to face top competitors.
A three-time Olympic winner from Poland, Wlodarczyk is the star of the hammer throw in Turku. Other achievements include her world record of 82.98m, four world titles and four European titles.
Para athletics will again be part of the Paavo Nurmi Games this year, with the Finnish best in wheelchair racing set to compete in the 100m and 400m competitions.
Previously announced for the men's javelin competition are Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, world champion Anderson Peters and 2017 world champion Johannes Vetter.
Organisers for World Athletics
