Feature16 Aug 2013


Lysenko completes impressive hat-trick of global titles

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Tatyana Lysenko in the womens Hammer Throw final at the IAAF World Athletics Championships Moscow 2013 (© Getty Images)

Tatyana Lysenko completed an impressive hat-trick of global titles when the Russian added her second consecutive IAAF World Championships gold medal to the London 2012 Olympic Games title from last year.

She confirmed her great consistency on the world stage in great style by also setting a national record, and improving the 2013 world lead, to an outstanding 78.80m in the fourth round.

However, as she confirmed later, it was far from easy as 2009 World champion Anita Wlodarczyk put pressure on Lysenko from the third round, when she went into the lead with 77.79m and the Polish women then improved further with a national record 78.46m on her following effort.

Lysenko's mark now places her second in the all-time list behind Betty Heidler’s world record of 79.42m two years ago.

“Championship competitions are the hardest ones because I felt more responsibility. When Wlodarczyk threw 77.79 m in the third round, I felt pressure. I felt I needed to respond to her,” said Lysenko after the duel was over.

There are rumours that Lysennko may take one year off to start a family, like three-time world champion Yelena Isinbayeva who announced her plan to take a break from sport in 2014 to have a child.

“I am planning to become mother but it may be premature. First, I have to let sink in what happened today,” she added.

The Russian fans in the Luzhniki Stadium created a magical atmosphere which surely contributed to the excellent results of Lysenko and Wlodarczyk.

“I competed at home, so I felt the support of the crowd. It is a big responsibility, additional pressure but at the same time it gave me extra motivation. I want to than the spectators for their cheering my every throw.

“I only realized that I am a champion after Anita did her last throw. The competition itself and my attempts weren’t as easy as they appeared to be. It was a hard competition for both me and Anita. I was focused on each attempt and I was trying to improve with every throw.”

Wlodarczyk could not celebrate a second title after her triumph in Berlin 2009 where she set the World record of 77.96m but she was very happy with her performance. “I am extremely happy to break the Polish record and my second place. I congratulate Tatyana on her great result. She was stronger today and deserved to win. “

Lysenko hails from Batayskm, near Rostov-on-Don which is close to the Ukrainian border and the Black Sea.

She comes from a big family with six brothers and two sisters but she is the only member who practices any sport. She started with basketball but she was spotted at the age of 16 by her coach Nikolai Beloborodov who advised her to turn to what has now become her specialist event.

Diego Sampaolo for the IAAF

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