World silver medallist Betty Heidler takes the win in the women's Hammer in Thessaloniki, Greece with 72.03m (© Getty Images)
World record holder Betty Heidler took the Hammer Throw with a championships’ record of 76.04m to highlight the first day of the German championships in Kassel on Saturday (23).
Heidler produced another great series with each of her five valid good enough to win the title (73.85 - x - 75.02 - 73.08 - 76.04 - 74.30). Kathrin Klaas was second with 72.39 m while Andrea Bunjes (64.95) took third.
“I am happy with my performance, though the series could have been better," Heidler said. "I had hoped for a couple of more throws beyond the 75 -metre mark. Now I want to confirm my position as the favourite in Daegu."
Beyer 8.17m, Storl takes Shot Put title with Bartels absent - men's highlights
Sebastion Bayer was the only jumper who passed the eight metres mark in the Long Jump and it came only in his very last attempt. Having already secured his title he closed with an 8.17m leap (wind +1.0). European Champion Christian Reif had to be content with 7.82m for second. Oliver Koenig took third (7.79m) while Nils Winter was ninth (7.61m).
“It was at my last attempt when finally everything went well for me," said Beyer, who thinks that he'll soon improve his season's best beyond 8.20m. "Before my run-ups were not good. But generally it was not easy today because we had long breaks during the competition.”
The wind was a problem in Kassel for many athletes in various disciplines on Saturday. “I had big problems with my run-up due to the wind,” said Reif.
Obviously there were no wind problems in the Shot Put, which was dominated by David Storl due to the absence of Ralf Bartels. It was said that Bartels could not compete due to private reasons. Storl showed a consistent series with four throws beyond the 20m mark (20.21 – x – 20.23 – 20.35 – x – 20.15). He was well ahead of Marco Schmidt (19.49) and Robert Dippl (18.58).
“I am happy to have won, but the result is not that good for me. I don’t know why I could not throw further. It was a pity that Ralf Bartels was not competing,” Storl said.
Another young German thrower confirmed his position in Kassel: Matthias de Zordo took the Javelin with 81.06m, which he threw in round five. Then there was a scare for him in the last round, when Mark Frank improved to 81.01m.
While Steffen Uliczka won the 3000m Steeplechase in 8:33.47, Tobias Unger took the 100m in 10.40 (-0.2). In a close 110m Hurdles final (-1.0 wind) Matthias Bühler (13.66) finished ahead of Erik Balnuweit (13.68) and Marlon Odom (13.72).
Strutz's momentum continues - Women's highlights
Martina Strutz, who had recently improved the German record to 4.78 m, was the only Pole Vaulter to jump 4.65m in Kassel. After having cleared 4.40m, 4.50m and 4.60m at her first attempts she then flew over 4.65m at her second. Silke Spiegelburg had as well cleared the first two heights instantly, but then needed two to get over 4.60m. And she did not manage 4.65m. Kristina Gadschiew took third with 4.60m, cleared at her third attempt while Anna Battke was fourth with 4.50m. In difficult conditions both Carolin Hingst as well as Lisa Ryzih were unable to clear their initial heights of 4.35m and 4.40m.
“It is now my aim to reach the final at the World Championships in Daegu,” said Strutz.
Only one day after winning her event at the Samsung Diamond League Meeting in Monaco Nadine Müller dominated the Discus Throw. Her opening throw of 63.41m remained her best. Heike Koderisch was a distant second with 57.99m.
Running against head winds Cathleen Tschirch took the 100m in 11.52 (-1.5) and Cindy Roleder won the 100m Hurdles in 13.10 (-2.3).
Jörg Wenig for the IAAF
