Tetyana Petlyuk winning the 800m at the 2006 Sparkassen Cup (© Bongarts)
The women’s Hammer Throw and 800m provided the key highlights at the Ukrainian National Championships as Athletics provided the final curtain call for the “Olimpiyskii” National Sport Complex in the Ukrainian capital from 1-4 July.
Sekachova improves national hammer throw record to 74.52m
The women’s Hammer Throw saw a new national record of 74.52m produced by Athens Olympic finalist Iryna Sekachova with her first attempt.
“I was ready to throw farther few weeks ago but was not able to go to few events of the World Athletics Tour because of visa problems,” said Sekachova. “2007 was an unlucky year for me and we decided to change a little our preparation for the Olympics. Now I’m staying in good shape and feeling that 75m is too easy. Before Beijing I’ll have few competitions in Ukraine and try to produce new PB and NR.”
Iryna Novozhylova was second with a personal best 71.82m with her last attempt and Inna Saenko threw over 70m for the first time in her career – 70.96m- to take third.
Another national record was born in women’s Javelin Throw during the first day of the championships. Tetyana Lyahovych was only one on the field to throw beyond 60m. The Athens Olympic finalist won with 63.23m to break into the world top-10 this season. World junior silver medalist from 2006 and European junior champion in 2007 Vira Rebryk achieved 59.96m in the first round 59.96m to finish second.
Petlyuk over Krevsun in hot 800m
World indoor silver medallist in Valencia Tetyana Petlyuk won the women’s 800m in 1:58.38 in a close battle with Yulia Krevsun (1:58.77) as both showed their season’s best.
“I’m too far from my best condition but to win the national championship was a matter of principle for me,” said Petlyuk. “I lost to Yulia at Golden League events in Berlin and Oslo. Today I aimed to take revenge but we didn’t plan to run so quickly. 1:58.33 is the second best result in world this season. For the training I’m executing now it is a very good performance.”
But the rise of Kenyan Pamela Jelimo this year has forced a reevaluation for Petlyuk as Beijing approaches.
“The results of Pamela Jelimo compel us to search for new approaches in the training process. To fight for Olympic gold this summer we must be ready to run 1:54.00. I hope I’ll able to prepare to Beijing properly.”
Osaka bronze medalist Iryna Lishchynska had just her second run of summer to win the women’s 1500m in 4.:04.97. Natalia Tobias finished second (4:05.53) and Anna Mishchenko (4:05.66) was third.
Vynogradov joins 80m club in men’s Hammer
The men’s Hammer Throw has taken on a new life in Ukraine with Evhen Vynogradov. The 24-year-old also broke into the yearly top-10 with an 80.58m PB. Artem Rubanko and Ihor Tuhay produced 79.75m and 79.46m respectively to achieve Olympic qualifying.
Reigning Olympic champion Yuri Bilonoh was dropped from the man’s Shot Put final because of three lackluster attempts. But the national federation’s executive committee will be discuss the possibility of a title defence possibility for the 34-year-old.
Natalia Pohrebnyak won the women’s 100m 11.28 and will join her in Beijing. Dmytro Hlushchenko took a B qualifying standard to the Ukrainian Olympic team in the men’s 100m with victory in 10.28. 400m-runner Natalia Pygyda won women’s 200m (22.91 in semi-final, an Olympic A standard).
2008 European Cup winners Evhenia Snihur (12.83) and Anastasia Rabchenyuk won the women’s 100 and 400m Hurdles respectively. Osaka’s World Championships finalist Serhiy Demydyuk took an easy win in the men’s 110m Hurdles, clocking 13.86.
Yurchenko, Saladuha produce PBs
World indoor medallist Denys Yurchenko raised his PB with a 5.83m leap in the Pole Vault, taking the win over Maksym Mazuryk and Olexandr Korchmid (both 5.50m). Yurchenko went on to and tried 6.00m but was unsuccessful with his three attempts.
“I’m happy to win in Kiev with my P.B.” Yurchenko said. “I was ready to jump 5.80m earlier but weather terms were not helpful for high jumps. My daughter Elizaveta was born a few weeks ago, that’s why I’m feeling better than ever. 6 metres is my goal.”
Olha Saladuha made only one jump to produce her PB and win the women’s Triple Jump with a 14.84m leap, currently No. 4 in the world this season. In the women’s Long Jump Viktoria Rybalko looked very impressive with all attempts over 6.60m. With her last leap she achieved 6.72m, securing a place on the Ukrainian Olympic team.
Athens Bronze medalist Vita Styopina won the women’s High Jump (1.95m) and former World champion Yuri Krymarenko took the men’s (2.28m).
The Olimpiyskii Sports Complex will now undergo reconstruction for the 2012 European Football Championships.
Liudmyla Iakusheva for the IAAF
