Ariane Friedrich improves to 2.02m in Heusden-Zolder (© Nadia Verhoft)
Raúl Spank and Ariane Friedrich were the winners of the High Jump Meeting in Eberstadt over the weekend.
Spank cleared 2.30m on Saturday (28) and Friedrich followed with a 2.00m jump on Sunday (29). It was the first time in the history of the meeting that there were two home wins. Additionally Friedrich became the first German women’s winner in Eberstadt.
The World bronze medallist from Berlin last year, Spank boosted his confidence for next year by clearing 2.30m for the first time this season. This was of course also a national season’s best by the high jumper who was bitterly disappointed after not being selected for the European Championships. Despite showing better form after injury problems shortly before Barcelona he missed the qualifying standard and officials chose not to include him on the team.
“It was my aim to jump 2.30. That this was also enough for victory is a great extra,” said Spank, who was the only jumper to clear all heights including 2.30m at his first attempt. Russia’s Aleksey Dmitrik also cleared 2.30m but only at his final attempt. In contrast Ivan Ukhov (Russia) had moved on to 2.33m after he had failed to clear 2.30m in the first round. But no jumper managed that height in Eberstadt. Ukhov had to settle for fourth behind Jesse Williams (USA) while European Champion Alexandr Shustov (Russia) took fifth place (all with 2.27).
In the women’s event which took place on Sunday, Friedrich put on a thrilling show. She only managed to clear 1.97m at her final attempt and then again needed three jumps to achieve 2.00m. That was finally enough for victory with runner-up Svetlana Shkolina of Russia topping out at 1.97m.
“It had always been my dream to win in Eberstadt,” said Friedrich.
Russian Irina Gordeeva took third with 1.94m.
Schrader takes Decathlon title with 8003 points
Coming back from injury Michael Schrader took the German Decathlon title in Potsdam on Thursday (26) and Friday (27). He was the only athlete to score over 8000 points with his 8003 tally.
In difficult weather conditions Schrader achieved 11.03 (100m/no wind), 7.41m (LJ/+2.1), 13.00m (SP), 1.91m (HJ), 48.82 (400 m), 14.37 (110m H/+0.1), 40.10m (DT), 5.00m (PV), 57.94m (JT) and 4:26.93 (1,500 m).
In contrast to Schrader former World Indoor champion André Niklaus, who also came back from injury setbacks, gave up the competition after the third event, having run 11.47, jumped 6.76m and thrown 12.50m. Niklaus said he would now concentrate on preparing for next year.
Claudia Rath won the Heptathlon with 5746 points. Here series: 14.14 (100m H/-0.3), 1.75m (HJ), 11.67m (SP), 24.61 (200 m/no wind), 6.27m (LJ/+1.7), 35.62m (JT) and 2:22.34 (800 m).
Harting throws 69.69m in Neubrandenburg
There was an unconventional meeting staged in Neubrandenburg on Saturday (28), where only two athletes were up against each other in one discipline. Robert Harting achieved a lifetime best of 69.69m, improving his personal best from 2009 by 26 centimetres. The World Discus Throw champion from Berlin beat the European Champion from Barcelona, Piotr Malachowski (Poland). Both athletes had five throws. Harting had a fine series with 65.59m, x, 68.88m, 67.33m and 69.69m while Malachowski threw 67.32m, x, 64.94m, 65.57m, x.
In the Shot Put and the Hammer Throw athletes had only three attempts. Ralf Bartels took the Shot Put with 21.07m beating Tomasz Majewski (Poland/20.65m) while Betty Heidler was the number one in the Hammer Throw. She achieved 72.05m and was ahead of Kathrin Klaas (67.22m). Nadine Kleinert won the Shot Put with 19.04m and Markus Esser took the Hammer Throw with 74.30m.
Jörg Wenig for the IAAF
Spank cleared 2.30m on Saturday (28) and Friedrich followed with a 2.00m jump on Sunday (29). It was the first time in the history of the meeting that there were two home wins. Additionally Friedrich became the first German women’s winner in Eberstadt.
The World bronze medallist from Berlin last year, Spank boosted his confidence for next year by clearing 2.30m for the first time this season. This was of course also a national season’s best by the high jumper who was bitterly disappointed after not being selected for the European Championships. Despite showing better form after injury problems shortly before Barcelona he missed the qualifying standard and officials chose not to include him on the team.
“It was my aim to jump 2.30. That this was also enough for victory is a great extra,” said Spank, who was the only jumper to clear all heights including 2.30m at his first attempt. Russia’s Aleksey Dmitrik also cleared 2.30m but only at his final attempt. In contrast Ivan Ukhov (Russia) had moved on to 2.33m after he had failed to clear 2.30m in the first round. But no jumper managed that height in Eberstadt. Ukhov had to settle for fourth behind Jesse Williams (USA) while European Champion Alexandr Shustov (Russia) took fifth place (all with 2.27).
In the women’s event which took place on Sunday, Friedrich put on a thrilling show. She only managed to clear 1.97m at her final attempt and then again needed three jumps to achieve 2.00m. That was finally enough for victory with runner-up Svetlana Shkolina of Russia topping out at 1.97m.
“It had always been my dream to win in Eberstadt,” said Friedrich.
Russian Irina Gordeeva took third with 1.94m.
Schrader takes Decathlon title with 8003 points
Coming back from injury Michael Schrader took the German Decathlon title in Potsdam on Thursday (26) and Friday (27). He was the only athlete to score over 8000 points with his 8003 tally.
In difficult weather conditions Schrader achieved 11.03 (100m/no wind), 7.41m (LJ/+2.1), 13.00m (SP), 1.91m (HJ), 48.82 (400 m), 14.37 (110m H/+0.1), 40.10m (DT), 5.00m (PV), 57.94m (JT) and 4:26.93 (1,500 m).
In contrast to Schrader former World Indoor champion André Niklaus, who also came back from injury setbacks, gave up the competition after the third event, having run 11.47, jumped 6.76m and thrown 12.50m. Niklaus said he would now concentrate on preparing for next year.
Claudia Rath won the Heptathlon with 5746 points. Here series: 14.14 (100m H/-0.3), 1.75m (HJ), 11.67m (SP), 24.61 (200 m/no wind), 6.27m (LJ/+1.7), 35.62m (JT) and 2:22.34 (800 m).
Harting throws 69.69m in Neubrandenburg
There was an unconventional meeting staged in Neubrandenburg on Saturday (28), where only two athletes were up against each other in one discipline. Robert Harting achieved a lifetime best of 69.69m, improving his personal best from 2009 by 26 centimetres. The World Discus Throw champion from Berlin beat the European Champion from Barcelona, Piotr Malachowski (Poland). Both athletes had five throws. Harting had a fine series with 65.59m, x, 68.88m, 67.33m and 69.69m while Malachowski threw 67.32m, x, 64.94m, 65.57m, x.
In the Shot Put and the Hammer Throw athletes had only three attempts. Ralf Bartels took the Shot Put with 21.07m beating Tomasz Majewski (Poland/20.65m) while Betty Heidler was the number one in the Hammer Throw. She achieved 72.05m and was ahead of Kathrin Klaas (67.22m). Nadine Kleinert won the Shot Put with 19.04m and Markus Esser took the Hammer Throw with 74.30m.
Jörg Wenig for the IAAF
