Arasay Tondike Santovenia (CUB) in Windsor (© Tyler Brownbridge/ PAN AM JUNIORS)
Windsor, Canada18yearold Ryan Whiting of the United States shattered the Pan American Junior Athletics Championship meet record in the men’s Discus throw, Sunday (31), twice connecting on 60m plus throws. The record was set during the 2005 Pan Am Junior Championships held at the University of Windsor Stadium in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
The Harrisburg, PA native faulted on the first attempt before throwing 55.12m on his second attempt. He broke the existing meet record of 58.76m held by Donca Gustavo of Brazil (2003) on his third throw, when he threw 60.57m. He would go on to better that mark during his sixth and final attempt as he tossed the discus 61.40m.
“I fouled on the first attempt so I just relaxed and took a safe distance on the second attempt. But on the third throw, I just stepped into the circle and let one go without practicing,” said an ecstatic Whiting after the event.
Jorge Hernandez of Cuba finished second, while fellow American Edward Cornell earned the bronze.
“After Hernandez let his best toss go during the first round, I knew that I would have to put the pressure on him and make him throw 60 metres. Once I set the record, I knew that it would be tough for him to come back.”
The gold was the second medal of these championships for Whiting, who also captured first place in the men’s Shot Put on Friday afternoon.
Hammer record too
Cuban women’s Hammer thrower Arasay Tondike Santovenia established the new Pan American Junior Athletics Championship meet record in the Hammer Throw on her fourth attempt, as she threw 64.80m to blow away the field en-route to the gold medal in the competition.
She topped the previous meet record of 58.61m set by Jennifer Dahigren of Argentina at the 2003 championships in the Barbados. Tondike Santovenia was the lone competitor to surpass 60-meters in the competition, clearing the mark on three occasions, while fouling on her first third and sixth attempts.
"I pretty much competed against myself," a disappointed Tondike Santovenia said after the competition. "I'm not satisfied with my performance because my personal best is actually 68-metres (a feat accomplished at a non-sanctioned track event)."
Meanwhile, American Brittany Riley also bettered the old record by throwing the Hammer to a new personal best of 59.70m. Canada’s Marie-Ève Boiselle walked away with the bronze medal by setting two personal bests, including a toss of 57.70m.
“I feel good, but I also feel tired,” said Boiselle, a native of Verchères, Québec. “I did a personal best for myself, but I wanted to get the Canadian record, but I’m still happy.”
John Bower for the IAAF
