Kara Winger in the javelin at the IAAF Continental Cup Marrakech 2014 (© Getty Images)
Home hopes will rest with Nikola Ogrodnikova of the Czech Republic, but the European silver medallist faces a formidable challenge as she bids to go one better against the world’s best at the IAAF Continental Cup Ostrava 2018.
The favourite will be her European teammate Christin Hussong, the German who beat her to gold in Berlin last month with a whopping throw of 67.90m. Ogrodnikova took silver there with a best of 61.85m, well down on her season’s best of 65.61m.
The Asia-Pacific challenge will be led by Lyu Huihui, the Chinese thrower who finished runner-up at the Asian Games in Jakarta last week. She has a best of 67.69m this year, and a reproduction of that would likely be good enough for glory in Ostrava.
Kara Winger will lead the Americas team, the US champion impressing on her most recent outing at the IAAF Diamond League final in Zurich, where she threw 64.75m to finish third. Her teammate Laila Ferrer Domingos of Brazil, who has a best of 62.39m this year, is also worthy of respect.
Nigeria’s Kelechi Nwanaga, the African champion, and Jo-Ane van Dyk of South Africa, the runner-up in Asaba last month, will team up to represent Africa.
Cathal Dennehy for the IAAF
