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News19 Jul 2002


It’s Croatia’s day in Kingston

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It’s Croatia’s day in Kingston

20 July 2002 – The timetable of the IAAF/Coca Cola World Juniors Championships was such that the women’s hammer throw and the women’s high jump contests were held virtually at the same time and on the same side of the field.

This meant that Croatia’s best chances of winning gold Ivana Brkljacic and Blanka Vlasic would be competing at the same time and a mere 20 metres apart. Both women were in Santiago two years ago and both won gold in Chile. Brkljacic won the hammer throw with 62.22 two days before Vlasic cleared 1.91 for Croatia’s second gold of the history of the championships.

The hammer throw, which started tonight 35 minutes before the high jump was finished when the bar was raised at 1.85m. And by then Brkljacic already knew she would be the 2002 World Junior Champion.

“I am so happy tonight. You know these are my third world juniors. I was in Annecy in 1998, in Santiago in 2000 and here in Kingston in 2002.”

Brkljacic didn’t not qualify for the final in Annecy but made up two years later with a surprising gold medal effort. It was a different story this year as everyone was expecting her to win.

“There was so much pressure on my shoulders tonight. They all wanted me to win and it is not easy to handle it.”

The competition may have looked easy to the spectators but from the inside it wasn’t. “I feared the Slovakian and the Chinese. They both are excellent throwers. The Chinese didn’t qualify but the Slovakian was very threatening.”

Brkljacic is a veteran of the circuit and finished 8th in Edmonton with an effort of 65.43. She will now head towards Munich where she says her objective is to make it through to the final.

Brkljacic had a touching thought for Josef Hrovat, last year’s World Youth hammer throw champion who couldn’t make the trip to Kingston this year.

“About two months ago during a competition in Slovenia, Josef was hit by one of my throws. Because of this accident he is not in Kingston today. I dedicate my gold medal to him. I will make sure that it is sent to him so he can keep it with him,” said Brkljacic.

Vlasic was ensured of her gold medal some thirty minutes after her friend and roommate Brkljacic. When Australia’s Petrina Price failed at 1.87, Vlasic was left alone in the contest and the gold medal looked easier than two years ago. Vlasic subsequently cleared 1.89 and 1.96 for a new personal best and world junior leading mark.

Vlasic who was 6th in Edmonton unsuccessfully attempted a 2-metre height. “This was the first time I tried the 2-metre mark. That would have been a bonus. Today what matters is the gold. I am very happy I retained my world junior title. It was a fantastic night. I love Jamaica, I really enjoyed being here.”

Vlasic who had ran her lap of honour with a Craotian and a Jamaican flags – the same Brkljacic had used earlier – thanked the crowd for their support.

“This is a great day for Croatia, I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.”

Croatia had already won a gold medal earlier this week with shot putter Edis Elkasevic.

 

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