News04 May 2007


Hammer and Discus set to highlight as Khanafeyeva, Moreno and Zvereva confirm for Uberlândia

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Yipsi Moreno of Cuba takes silver in the women's Hammer Throw (© Getty Images)

The appearance of the former World record holder Gulfiya Khanafeyeva, and two-time World champion Yipsi Moreno has quickly established the women’s Hammer Throw as the main competition of the upcoming “GP Sul-Americano Sesi/Caixa de Atletismo” in Uberlândia, on 6 May.

The meeting is the start a series of four Brazilian meets – three Area Permit meetings and one IAAF Grand Prix – at which points can be acquired by athletes for the IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final.

Khanafeyeva, a 24-year-old from Russia took the silver medal at the 2006 European Championships with 74.50m. On 12 June 2006, she set a World record in Tula, with a 77.26m toss, a mark that was later improved by her compatriot Tatyana Lysenko on 15 August (77.80m in Tallinn). So far in 2007, Khanafeyeva’s furthest throw has been 72.10m (Adler, 22 April).

The Russian will face Moreno, the 26-year-old from Camagüey, Cuba, who has won medals in most major athletics competitions. Her collection includes an Olympic Silver (Athens ’04), 3 podiums at World Championships (Gold in 2001 and 2003; Silver in 2005), 2 medals at the World Cup (Silver in 2002 and Bronze in 2006), and a Pan-American Games title. She is also the Central American and Caribbean record holder with a 75.64m mark, obtained last 3 March in Spanish Town, Jamaica.

The Cuban will also bring with her two compatriots in the same event: Yunaika Crawford and Arasay Thondike. Crawford, 24, won the bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, where she set her personal best of 73.16m, while Thondike, a 20 year-old, is the CAC Junior record holder (68.74m ’05), and the latest Cuban to throw over 70m (70.39m at Havana on 22 February 2007).

Zvereva in the Discus

Forty-six year-old veteran Ellina Zvereva, from Belarus, will kick-off yet one more season in Uberlândia. The 2000 Olympic and twice World Champion (1995, 2001) is another attraction for the audience of Minas Gerais.

Her personal best is 71.58m, and has stood from almost 19 years ago (Leningrad, 12 June 1988), while in 2006, her best performance was 63.20m (Brest, 27 May).

Among her rivals will be two Cubans, Yania Ferrales and Yarelis Barrios. Ferrales, a 30 year-old from Morón, Ciego de Ávila, comes to Brazil after placing fourth in the 2006 World Lists, with her PB of 66.00m (Havana, 10 February). Yet, her best international result is a third place at the 2003 Pan-American Games. So far in 2007, her best mark is 63.32m (Spanish Town, 3 March).

Barrios (23) has had a very good beginning of the season, since she comes from setting a personal best of 66.68m at the Jamaican meet of Spanish Town. Barrios’ best result at an international competition is a victory at the 2005 CAC Championships.

The best Brazilian thrower at the Discus will be 34-year-old Elisângela Adriano, multiple times South American Champion, who so far in 2007, has reached 57.70m.

Canadian Tyler Christopher added to the lineup of the 400m

23-year-old Canadian Tyler Christopher, World 400m bronze medallist at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, has also been confirmed to participate in Uberlândia.

The Canadian record holder (44.44 ’05) will make his seasonal debut in Minas Gerais, and will also compete a week later in Rio, but only as a part of his 4x400m national team in a relay event.

His main opponents will be 29-year-old American Jamal Ashley (PB of 44.75/’05) who was second at the 2005 NCAA Championships and a member of the US team that won the 4x400m relay at the Athens World Cup, and Uruguayan Andrés Silva (PB 45.02/’06), and winner of the 2006 Ibero-American Championships.

Among the Brazilians will be Sanderlei Parrela, the South American record holder (44.29/’99) and silver medalist at the 1999 World Championships in Seville.

Injury causes Saladino to withdraw

A minor physical problem, will postpone the seasonal debut of the winner of the 2006 World Cup, Panamanian Long-jumper Irving Saladino.

“It is not a serious matter. It’s only an inflammation of the femoral biceps’ tendon in one of his legs which has made him miss some training. We are hoping that with some rest and treatment he will be OK to compete at the Rio GP, on 13 May”, said his Brazilian coach Nelio Moura.

Eduardo Biscayart for the IAAF


South American Area Permit meetings scoring points for the IAAF World Athletics Final


Sun 6 - Gold Meeting Sesi Caixa
(Grand Prix Sudamericano)  Uberlandia (BRA)

Sun 13 - Gold meeting Rio de Atletismo
(Grand Prix Sudamericano)  Rio de Janeiro (BRA)
 
Wed 16 - Gold Meeting Caixa Fortaleza
(Grand Prix Sudamericano)  Fortaleza (BRA)

IAAF Grand Prix status meeting in the IAAF World Athletics Tour
Sun 20 May - Grande Premio Brasil Caixa de Atletismo Belém (BRA)

Click here for more information 
 

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