Defending World champion Betty Heidler of Germany throws a Championship Record of 75.27m in the women's Hammer Throw qualification in Berlin (© Getty Images)
If there was any doubt about her chances to defend her title, reigning World Hammer Throw champion Betty Heidler dispelled them quickly.
With the very first throw of the qualifying round, the popular 25-year-old thrilled the sizeable early afternoon crowd at Olympic stadium with a 75.27m launch to break the championships record of 75.20 set a decade ago in Seville.
“The goal today was to qualify on the first throw,” said Heidler, whose quick work this afternoon approached her season’s best of 75.83m. “I didn’t expect to throw that far.”
But her primary rival, Anita Wlodarczyk of Poland wasn’t very far behind. She too spun to a quick qualifier, reaching 74.54m with her first and only throw. The 24-year-old Pole has been the most consistent thrower this season, with 11 wins in her 13 competitions, along with being the world leader at 77.20. If anyone will rain on the German’s parade in her hometown, it is Wlodarczyk.
Only three others reached the automatic qualifying standard of 72.00m, leading to some tense moments in the two rounds.
Asian record holder Wenxiu Zhang of China threw a season’s best 72.72m with her first throw to catch the early departure bus from the stadium, as did three-time American champion Jessica Cosby, who threw a career best 72.21m.
There was one major surprise, the unexpected departure of Olympic champion Aksana Miankova. The 27-year-old from Belarus arrived in the German capital with a few long throws under her belt, but her earlier inconsistency showed again. After opening with a foul, she managed throws of just 67.47m and 69.58m to unceremoniously finish in 13th position.
Heidler will be joined by German No. 2 Kathrin Klaas who had a best of 70.53m, but had one 75m-plus foul. A pair of Frenchwomen, Stéphanie Falzon (71.54m) and Manuela Montebrun (70.66m) will also move on, along with American Amber Campbell (70.54). Others to move on include World record holder Tatyana Lysenko (71.73m) of Russia and Slovak Martina Hrasnova (71.50m). 70.01m, reached by Italian Clarissa Claretti in the final round, was the cut-off.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
With the very first throw of the qualifying round, the popular 25-year-old thrilled the sizeable early afternoon crowd at Olympic stadium with a 75.27m launch to break the championships record of 75.20 set a decade ago in Seville.
“The goal today was to qualify on the first throw,” said Heidler, whose quick work this afternoon approached her season’s best of 75.83m. “I didn’t expect to throw that far.”
But her primary rival, Anita Wlodarczyk of Poland wasn’t very far behind. She too spun to a quick qualifier, reaching 74.54m with her first and only throw. The 24-year-old Pole has been the most consistent thrower this season, with 11 wins in her 13 competitions, along with being the world leader at 77.20. If anyone will rain on the German’s parade in her hometown, it is Wlodarczyk.
Only three others reached the automatic qualifying standard of 72.00m, leading to some tense moments in the two rounds.
Asian record holder Wenxiu Zhang of China threw a season’s best 72.72m with her first throw to catch the early departure bus from the stadium, as did three-time American champion Jessica Cosby, who threw a career best 72.21m.
There was one major surprise, the unexpected departure of Olympic champion Aksana Miankova. The 27-year-old from Belarus arrived in the German capital with a few long throws under her belt, but her earlier inconsistency showed again. After opening with a foul, she managed throws of just 67.47m and 69.58m to unceremoniously finish in 13th position.
Heidler will be joined by German No. 2 Kathrin Klaas who had a best of 70.53m, but had one 75m-plus foul. A pair of Frenchwomen, Stéphanie Falzon (71.54m) and Manuela Montebrun (70.66m) will also move on, along with American Amber Campbell (70.54). Others to move on include World record holder Tatyana Lysenko (71.73m) of Russia and Slovak Martina Hrasnova (71.50m). 70.01m, reached by Italian Clarissa Claretti in the final round, was the cut-off.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
