Issue Six - The Home Stretch

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As the season nears an end, the top athletes must prove themselves at the world championships and world athletics final.

World Championships Wrap-Up

Gold Medalist Olga Kuzenkova (RUS)

Even with the late withdrawal from Athens Gold Medalist Koji Murofushi (JPN) due to a rib injury, the men's hammer final was still set up to be a quality competition with 9 entrants that had surpassed 80 meters this season. Favorite Ivan Tikhon (BLR) had fans nervous as he fouled his first two throws in the qualifying round before easily surpassing the automatic qualifying mark. With the exception of Athens Broze Medalist Esref Apak (TUR), few favorites failed to be among the 12 that qualified for the final round. In the final round, Tikhon again fouled his first two throws while fellow countryman Vadim Devyatovskiy (BLR) held the lead. Tikhon finally managed a legal effort of 80.97 meters in the third round to take the lead, but Devyatovskiy immediatly surpassed him with a throw of 82.60 meters. Tikhon was again ready to respond with a 83.89 meter fourth round effort that set a new championships record. Devyatovskiy was not able to surpass the mark and had to settle for bronze. Szymon Ziolokwski (POL), who has had a very consistant season, threw 79.35 meters for the bronze medal. After the competition, Tikhon commented that "The competition didn't go as planned. I wanted to break the WR here. I feel I am capable to do it soon." Hometown favorite Olli Pekka Karjalainen took fifth place and only missed the bronce by 60 centimeters. Americans James Parker and A.G. Kruger failed to make the final round.

There was less of a clear favorite in the women's comeptition. Tatyana Lysenko (RUS) had set a world record prior to the World Championships, but she had not proven her self against international competition. The qualifying round showed a few suprises as Italian national record holder Ester Balassini fouled out, Belarussian national record holder Volha Tsander did not qualify, and Betty Heidler threw only 61 meters. Bronze Medalist Yunaika Crawford also failed to make the finals as well as Americans Amber Cambell and Bethany Hart. However, most of the favorites moved on to the final. Entering the fifth round, two-time world champion Yipsi Moreno (CUB) lead slightly with a throw of 71.26 meters while Athens gold medalist Olga Kuzenkova (RUS) sat in second at 70.80 meters and Lysenko in third at 70.30 meters. However, Lysenko improved to 72.46 meters to take the lead. Next in the ring, Kuzenkova improved with a better effort of 74.03 meters. Moreno also responed with 73.08 meters; an improvement, but not enough to regain the lead. In the final round, Kuzenkova increased her lead to a season best mark of 75.10 meters to secure her title. After the competition, Kuzenkova told the IAAF "I was nervous during my first two throws. After that I thought I should add the power and I think I was a little bit better each round." American Erin Gilreath placed tenth and multiple-time NCAA Champion Candice Scott (TRI) finished 8th.

The Juniors and Students
Two other major championships were contested since the last issue. In late July, Kaunas, Lithuania played host to the European Junior Championships. The Hungarians showed a dominant presence and took home two wins. Noemi Nemeth (HUN) won the women's competition at 63.70 meters. Valentina Srsa (CRO) finished a close second at 63.12 meters. Kristof Nemeth (HUN) set a new championships record on his way to a junior men's title. His best of 78.85 meters beat runner-up Yevgeniy Aydamirov (RUS) by over two meters.

The best University students from around the world competed at the World University Games at Izmir, Turkey. The games opened up the day after the World Championships competed and several of the top world championships competitors made the trip to compete. Vadim Devyatovski (BLR) followed up his silver medal at the world championships with a gold in Turkey with a throw of 79.13 meters. Esref Apak (TUR) bounced back from a poort result to placed second in front of a home crowd. Kamila Skolimowska (POL) won the women's competition at 72.75 meters. Liu Yinghui (CHN) took a close second at 72.51 meters and Ester Balassini (ITA) also surpassed 70 meters for the bronze.

The Athletics Bridge
Over 3,000 specators were present to watch two days of theAthlics Bridge competition in Slovakia. This competition has been the only major competition since the World Championships for some top throwers. Ivan Tikhon (BLR) won the competition on both days with a nice throw of 82.53 meters on the first day. Other top throwers competiting were Kristian Pars (HUN), Vadim Devyatovski (BLR), and Libor Charfreitag (SVK). Pars threw a season best of 80.03 meters on the first day. Yipsi Moreno (CUB) also beat a top field to win the competition on both days. On the first day she threw a season best of 74.95 meters to beat world record holder Tatyana Lysenko (RUS), Kamila Skolimowska (POL), Ester Balassini (ITA) and others.

The Coming Weeks
With their quality wins last week, Moreno and Tikhon look like they are in good form for this weekend's World Athletics Final in Szombathely. However, Olga Kuzenkova (RUS) is the defending woman's champion and has not competed since the World Championships and will be the favorite. Olli Pekka Karjalainen also was able to find his form in this meet last season and took home a suprise win. All the top ranked athletes, sans Zhang Wenxiu (CHN), will compete this weekend. Wenxiu will be representing China at the Asian Athletics Championships in Korea.

Related Information
Top Lists/Rankings
» IAAF 2005 Top Lists (Men | Women)
» IAAF 2005 Junior Top Lists (Men | Women)
» IAAF 2005 Youth Top Lists (Men | Women)
» IAAF Hammer Rankings (Men | Women)

Recent Results
» The Athletic Bridge #2 (SVK) 29 August 2005
» The Athletic Bridge #1 (SVK) 28 August 2005
» World University Games (TUR) 15-20 August 2005
» IAAF World Championships (FIN) 6-13 August 2005
» European Junior Championships (LTU) 21-24 July 2005

Upcoming Meets
» IAAF World Athletics Final (HUN)
» Asian Athletics Championships (KOR)

News articles
» Szombathely ready for Hammer showdown IAAF 2 September 2005
» Warming up for Szombathely - Tikhon 82.53, while Moreno is again over 73 metres IAAF 30 August 2005
» The prospect of a World record - 3rd IAAF World Athletics Final - Hammer Throw IAAF 29 August 2005
» Moreno comes close to 75m IAAF 29 August 2005
» Kuzenkova was specifically focused by Helsinki and then spiritually inspired IAAF 12 August 2005
» Flash Interviews - Women Hammer Throw Final IAAF 12 August 2005
» Flash Interviews - Women Hammer Throw Qualification IAAF 10 August 2005
» All the President's men take Belarus to the top IAAF 8 August 2005
» Flash Interviews - Women Hammer Throw Final IAAF 8 August 2005
» A blow for Murofushi Sporting Life 2 August 2005