Skolimowska - Afraid but not deterred - IAAF World Cup in Athletics

The meeting record was pulverized as heavily as the turf was impacted by the implements let loose by three of this afternoon’s nine competitors. Only one  edition of the women’s Hammer Throw had been held in the history of the World Cup, and the 70.75m victory of China’s Gu Yuan (CHN) in Madrid 2002, the previous best mark, did not even last one round, in fact one throw.

Yipsi Moreno powered her opener to 73.99m which was to remain her best, though she substantiated her form with 73.69 and 73.42 follow-ups. The Cuban former double World champion ended up third (7pts) for the Americas.

Five throwers later, and World record holder Tatyana Lysenko quickly consigned Moreno’s mark to memory with a 74.33m opener of her own, a distance which 2000 Olympic champion Kamila Skolimowska, the last competitor, also banished with a 74.53m release to close the opening volley.

The Pole’s second – 75.29 – was ultimately to be the winner (9ts) but Lysenko replied well in the third series with a personal improvement to 74.44, which secured 8pts for Russia.

Lysenko’s last was a foul, while Skolimowska completed a solid series with 74.70m to close-out the day.

Wenxiu Zhang (ASI – Chn) was the only other woman over 70m with 71.19 and 71.06 second and third rounds.

"I was absolutely afraid of Lysenko, who's been throwing regularly above 76m but she was probably tired," said a modest winner.

Chris Turner for the IAAF