Christina Obergföll of Germany, who won the Javelin with a throw of 68.01 metres - Meeting Areva, Paris (© Errol Anderson)
25 July 2011Despite cool and wet conditions, Raúl Spank produced a 2.31m clearance on the second day of the German Championships in Kassel on Sunday (24). But the performance of the day came from Christina Obergföll who dominated the Javelin Throw with a winning mark of 68.86m, a championships’ record. Both Obergföll and Spank showed that they are medal contenders for the IAAF World Championships in Daegu.
Early scare for Spank
In unfavourable weather conditions with temperatures around 12° C, Spank survived an early scare in the High Jump. The bronze medallist from the 2009 World Championships in Berlin needed three attempts to finally clear his opening height of 2.15m. But then he made no mistakes at the following three heights: 2.22m, 2.25m and 2.28m. Spank had quite some opposition from his fellow club mate from Dresdner SC: Matthias Haverney took second with 2.28m. But it was Spank, who was the only one to clear 2.31m. He needed three attempts for that and then did not go any higher.
“I had expected this duel, but I did not expect it to go on for so long," Spank said. "Apart from the 2.15m I am really happy with my competition."
“I think if you do not jump 2.36m in Daegu you will not win a medal. So this height is my goal for this year. I am optimistic I can get there.”
Obergföll improves season's best to 68.68m
The best results of the women’s events on day two came in the throws. In the cool weather Obergföll was outstanding. After opening with 64.32m she produced a second round throw of 68.86m. Obergföll then continued with 64.81m, 64.28m, X, and 65.30m. Katharina Molitor was second with a personal best of 64.67m.
“It could not have worked out better for me in these conditions. I am satisfied and well on the way to the World Championships," said Obergföll, who was second in the Monaco leg of the Samsung Diamond League on Friday night. "It is my aim to win a medal in Daegu and I hope to further improve my season’s best in Korea.”
Mohr takes Pole Vault title
Another German medal hope for Daegu is Malte Mohr, who took the Pole Vault with 5.72m on Sunday. Mohr had only cleared one height before, when he jumped 5.52 m at his first attempt. It took him three to go over 5.72m and secure the title from Fabian Schulze (5.62m) and third placed Karsten Dilla (5.62m). A number of prominent vaulters failed to reach the podium: Björn Otto was fourth (5.52m), Raphael Holzdeppe took fifth (5.52m) and Alexander Straub was seventh (5.32m) while Danny Ecker did not compete.
“Due to the changing winds I am satisfied with 5.72m today. I know that I have to jump higher in Daegu to reach my goal and win a medal,” Mohr said.
Reigning World champion Robert Harting was well ahead in the Discus Throw. However he could not show his full potential when winning with 65.72m from Markus Münch (61.47m). Martin Wierig produced three faults and was out after three rounds.
“Technically I was not so good today. And the wind did cost me a metre or may be even a metre-and-a-half. I have another five weeks until the World Championships. I may do another competition but now it is all about training,” Harting said.
David Gollnow won the 400m Hurdles in 49.56m and Markus Esser took the Hammer Throw title with 78.44m.
Christina Schwanitz was the winner in the Shot Put with 18.95m, beating Nadine Kleinert (18.57m). While Kleinert did not feel comfortable in the wet conditions her opponent did not mind and produced a season’s best to take the title.
“I hope to do better at the World Championships, where I want to finish inside the top eight,” Schwanitz said.
Jörg Wenig for the IAAF
