Ostapchuk reaches 20.27 in Minsk

Minsk, Belarus  Nadzeya Ostapchuk’s 20.27 throw in the Shot Put was the highlight of the Mikhail Zhelobovski meeting (11) in Minsk, a competition celebrating one of the most eminent middle distance runners from Belarus.

Ostapchuk threatens world lead

A strong duel between Ostapchuk, the reigning World champion and Sydney Olympic champion Yanina Provalinskaja-Karolchik was expected, and Ostapchuk setting the tone with a 21-plus metre throw during the warm-ups. After both fouled in the first round, Provalinskaja-Karolchik threw 18.32 and Ostapchuk answered immediately with a heave of 20.27, just seven centimetres shy of her 20.34 world leader. More throws beyond 19 metres followed before she ended with competition with a sixth round 19.94.

“Before the World championship in Osaka where I hope to keep my title,” Ostapchuk said, “I rehearsed the first attempt and everything was great. And with two weeks before the championships begin, I’ll be able to improve my form.”

Yulyana Yushchanka from Brest set the tone in the 400m from the outset. Iryna Khliustava tried to catch her, but fell short behind Yushchanka’s 51.01 personal best. In 51.13, Khliustava also reached a career best. Anna Kozak from Vitebsk was third (52.62).

Final tune-up for women's 4x100m Relay

There was one last rehearsal before Osaka for the women’s 4x100m Relay. The national team team of Anastasia Shuliak, Natallia Safronnikava, Alena Neumiarzhytskaya and Aksana Drahun, easily beat their young competitors in 43.44. Olympic champion Yulia Nesterenko missed this season, choosing to concentrate on 2008 to defend her Olympic title.

Other winners included Igor Kachura (800m), Alexander Nazarov (1500m), Maxim Pankratov (5000m), Siarhei Charnou in the 5 Km Race Walk (20:07.15), Dmitry Shako the Hammer Throw (74.85) and Alena Neumiarzhitskaya the women’s 100m  (11.47).

The meeting was the final competition for Osaka-bound members of the national team, which will consist of 27-29 athletes.

Mikhail Dubitski for the IAAF

Select results -

MEN
800 m
1 Igor Kachura 1.51.27
1500 m
1 Alexander Nazarenko 3.54.07
5000 m
1 Maxim Pankratov 15.16.14
Hammer Throw
1 Dmitry Shako 74.85
5000 m Walk
1 Siarhei Charnou 20.07.15

Women
100 m
1 Alena Neumiarzhitskaya 11.47
400 m
1 Yulyana Yushchanka 51.01
2 Iryna Khliustava 51.89
3 Anna Kozak 52.62
Shot Put
1 Nadzeya Ostapchuk 20.27
2 Yanina Provalinskaja-Karolchik 18.32

4x100m Relay
1 Belarus (Anastasia Shuliak, Natallia Safronnikava, Alena Neumiarzhytskaya, Aksana Drahun) 43.44