Vadim Devyatovskiy of Belarus in the men's Hammer Throw final (© Getty Images)
The meeting Memorial Mechislav Ovsjanik, which remembers the name of the trainer who coached many international champions and medallists including Natalia Shikolenko, Elina Zvereva, Vladimir Dubrovshchik and Yanina Provalinskaja-Korolchik, was held on Saturday (28) in the “Staiki” Sports Centre.
The main performers were Nadzeya Ostapchuk and Vadim Devyatovskiy. The former, the reigning World champion in the women’s Shot Put released a 20.34m effort, while the latter the World silver medallist in the men’s Hammer Throw let his implement fly out to 82.94 m. Both results are the best of the current world season.
Ostapchuk aiming at title defence
“After a not so great a beginning to the season,” commented Ostapchuk, “I wanted to declare myself again. Frankly speaking, my target was to become the leader of the present world season list…it turned out to be a much better competition than I hoped. I’m very pleased with myself and now I’m aiming at Osaka, to retain the World title.”
Already in the first round Ostapchuk reached the target with 20.34m. In the fourth round she repeated the result exactly. The other four puts were fouls.
Yanina Provalinskaja-Korolchik, the 2000 Olympic and 2001 World champion, used only two attempts: the first (19.06) and the last (18.68) which brought her second place. Her trainer Alexander Efimov noted, Korolchik is ready to push further, but she as yet does not have enough competitive spirit, but this the matter of the time. Before Osaka she will power up and will struggle for a medal.
Devyatovskiy hopes to time his peak to perfection
“Good emotional condition, good weather – it’s not so hot, and is not so cold - helped me to show such a good result,” confirmed Vadim Devyatovskiy in the men’s Hammer Throw. “I do not hurry things. In fact with the World championship at the end of August, I am aiming to peak at the right time.”
Devyatovskiy’s five attempts were simply magnificent: in the first round the hammer flew on 80.72, (second – foul), in the third - 82.80, then 81.86, 80.76 and in the last - 82.94.
Turkey’s Esfref Apak, the Olympic bronze medallist sent the hammer to 80.31m in the last round. The visitor, who is trained by Belarusian expert Konstantin Astapkovich, took second place. The third best result came from has 23-years Pavel Kryvitski with 78.61, and only 1 cm behind was Aliaksandr Vashchyla.
In the women’s Hammer Throw, Darya Pchelnik was twice over 70m. The best was her first attempt in which her hammer flew to 71.29m. Elena Matoshko took second place with 70.62m. In third place was ex-Belarusian Svetlana Sudak who is representing Turkey - 68.70m.
In the women’s Discus Throw, Iryna Yatchenko’s sixth attempt was the best (64.87m). In the men's event Ruslan Khlybau won with 61.24m.
Maksim Lynsha won the 110m Hurdles (13.67) and 200m (21.50), while his training partner Yauheniya Volodko ran personal best in three women’s events, 100m Hurdles - 12.95 (1st), 100m - 11.53 (2nd) and 200m - 23.80 (2nd).
Mikhail Dubitski for the IAAF
Selected Results
MEN
100 m
1. Yuri Bogdanovich 10.82
200 m
1. Maksim Lynsha 21.50
110 Metres Hurdles
1. Maksim Lynsha 13.67
400 Metres Hurdles
1. Andrei Kazlouski 51.63
Shot Put
1. Dmitriy Sivakou 19.90
Discus Throw
1. Ruslan Khlybau 61.24
2. Aliaksandr Malashevich 60.00
Hammer Throw
1. Vadim Devyatovskiy 82.94
2. Esref Apak 80.31
3. Pavel Kryvitski 78.61
Javelin Throw
1. Vadzim Yautukhovich 76.88
Women
100m
1. Natallia Safronnikava 11.42
2. Yauheniya Volodko 11.53
200m
1. Natallia Safronnikava 23.35
2. Yauheniya Volodko 23.80
100m Hurdles
1. Yauheniya Volodko 12.95
Shot Put
1. Nadzeya Ostapchuk 20.34
2. Yanina Provalinskaja-Karolchik 19.06
Discus Throw
1. Iryna Yatchenko 64.87
2. Liudmila Starovoytova-Kupriyanava 60.91
Hammer Throw
1 Darya Pchelnik 71.29
2 Alena Matoshka 70.62
3 Svetlana Sudak 68.70
Javelin Throw
1 Marina Novik 57.98
