Krisztian Pars - 80.53m in Lappeenranta, Finland (© Paula Noronen)
Hungary’s Krisztian Pars took his 14th consecutive Hammer Throw victory to stay unbeaten during this season when winning in Lappeenranta, Finland on Sunday (12).
The evening in Lappeenranta, a Finnish city which lies on the border with Russia, started on a high note with Gloria Asumnu of USA already timed a slightly windy 11.07sec in the women’s 100m (2.3m/s) but the rest of the main international highlights were reserved to the infield.
30,000 euros within Pars grasp
Krisztian Pars let his hammer fly to 80.53m in the sixth round, to take his third successive victory in Finnish Federation’s annual Elite Games series of meetings, in which the overall winner wins 30,000 euros in prize. With three wins out of three competitions – the only athlete in this position - and with only another two meets to go, Pars is in the firm position to take this top prize.
"The conditions (+20, sunny) were very good today, and so was the competition. I am in such a steady condition now, that I can make 80m almost anytime," said Pars.
"I feel really confident what it comes to the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, where my goal is to won my first gold medal in big championships.”
Finland’s Olli-Pekka Karjalainen, 2006 European silver medallist and like Pars a Beijing finalist took yet another second place with 76.45m.
Karjalainen has something new to do at home, as his wife gave birth to a son earlier in this summer."My son seems to be easy to take care of; he lets me sleep in the nights. I think I threw a solid competition today and I can take the next step in Berlin," said Karjalainen.
Mokoena leaps 8.24 and applauds knowledgeable audience
South Africa’s World Indoor champion Khotso Mokoena leapt 8.24m to win the men’s Long Jump.
"Finland is my second home country, where I want to train and compete every year. I especially like that Finnish spectators who know so much about the athletics in all the events," said Olympic bronze medallist Mokoena .
Finland’s Tommi Evilä hoped to have his first big jump of this summer on the Kimpinen stadium’s fast Mondo track, but his second place with 8.01m perhaps wasn’t quite what he desired.
"I feel physically better than ever, but the end of my jump is not ready, yet. I can’t push my legs forward enough before the landing," analysed Evilä.
Ruuskanen beats Mannio at last
With three man already selected for the Finnish javelin squad for Berlin – Finland will take four men thanks to having reigning World champion Tero Pitkamaki - the battle continues for the fourth and final place for the World championships.
Ari Mannio had won the two previous Javelin competitions, but in Lappeenranta first place slipped out of his reach in the final round, as Antti Ruuskanen made his season best of 80.63m.
That was a very important throw for Ruuskanen, because he had lost in every competition against Mannio in this season. The battle for the last ticket to Berlin is between these two guys.
"I am not ready, yet. I have been throwing well in training, but in competitions my technique isn’t working as well as it should," said Ruuskanen.
Ruuskanen eagerly wants to take the plane to Berlin, because he has been the stay at home reserve at the last three championships – 2006 Europeans, 2007 World Champs and 2008 Olympics.
Mannio’s best throw was 80.26, his seventh consecutive compettion over 80m this year highlighted by his 85.70 PB at the end of May. He is the outstanding favourite for the U23 European Championships next weekend.
Discus men enjoy the wind
The Men’s Discus Throw was also a very good competition, thanks to ideal head wind that helped the three best to their season bests.
Estonia’s Aleksander Tammert threw 65.17m in the second round, and Finland’s Frantz Kruger improved his season’s best by 3.07 metres as he threw 64.17 in the third round.
"I am in a good shape, but there are still some problems with the rhythm in my throwing. I hope I can fix them in a three-week time before the Finnish Championships in Espoo," said Kruger.
Mikko Kyyrö tried hard to follow Kruger to the World Champs, but missed the ‘B’ Entry Standard by 60cm when throwing 61.90m for third.
In the Men’s Pole Vault, Jarno Kivioja took a surprise victory and set a PB. Kivioja flew over 5.55m, the ‘B’ Standard for Berlin, and is now the fifth Finnish vaulter with that mark which means the decision of who goes to the Worlds is likely to come down to who wins the national title.
Al-Salhi highlights the men’s track events
Saudi Arabia´s Mohamed Al-Salhi, who was second both in the Oslo and Rome Golden Leagues found no challengers in the 800m. He kicked smoothly to victory in 1:45.32
"I was not very tired despite of travelling from Rome yesterday, because I’m in a very good shape. Everything in my practising and competing is preparation for the World Championships," said Al-Salhi.
Keskisalo crushes his 5000m PB
Finland’s European 3000m Steeplechase champion Jukka Keskisalo gave the spectators something to cheer for on the track, as he improved his personal best in the 5000m by 17.39 seconds to 13:39.81.
Keskisalo did not win the race, because Kenya’s Lewis Korir, who lives in Finland, ran away from his rivals before the last kilometre. Korir set his PB too: 13:36.23.
Keskisalo has been training in the Swiss Alps for the last three weeks and ran in Lappeenranta almost straight after returning Finland. He’ll run the Steeplechase at the Golden League in Paris on Friday, and after that the Finnish Champs in Espoo 31 Jul - 2 Aug, before flying back to St. Moritz again.
"St. Moritz is a paradise for a distance runner. Maybe I’ll get an advance of one or two seconds from training at high altitudes, and in a big final race it means a lot. I know I’ll have to run a perfect race in the heats in Berlin in order to reach the final," said Keskisalo.
In the same 5000m another Finn also crushed his PB by more than 10 seconds - Matti Räsänen, placed 4th in 13:46.59.
A-P Sonninen for the IAAF
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