Anita Wlodarczyk, winner of the hammer at the IAAF Continental Cup Marrakech 2014 (© Getty Images)
Anita Wlodarczyk kept the women’s hammer title firmly in Europe’s hands after her dominant victory that kicked off the field event action on day two at Le Grand Stade in Marrakech.
The Pole, who extended the world record to 79.58m in Berlin last month, led from her opening 72.83m throw, which would have ultimately sufficed for the win.
However, the 2009 world champion continued to improve, hitting 74.26m in round two and again to 75.21m in the third, her best of the day, an effort that was just eight centimetres shy of the competition record set by her compatriot, the late Kamila Skolimowska, in the Athens Olympic Stadium in 2006.
“The result isn’t satisfying but at least I kept improving until the last attempt,” said Wlodarczyk, who won a second European title in Zurich last month and bagged $30,000 for the victory here, her seventh in eight competitions this year.
“The only thing missing this season is 80 metres, but maybe that’s a positive because I will have something to motivate me next season.”
US champion Amanda Bingson was a distant second with 72.38m, her only measured effort from the four rounds.
Martina Hrasnova of Slovakia was third with 70.47m to contribute to Europe’s 14-point tally in the event.
China’e Zheng Wang (70.15m) and Sultana Frizell (70.06m) for Asia-Pacific and Americas respectively also managed to beat the 70-metre line, finishing fourth and fifth.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
