The 1996 Olympic champion, 1993 and 1995 world champion, and 1997 world leader, German Lars Riedel only needed one throw to advance to Sunday’s final, a toss of 66.46m. Riedel’s throw was the best of the day. Competing in group B, the German was followed by Lithuania’s Virgilijus Alekna who threw 65.22m in the 3rd round. Fourth and fifth in this group were Americans Adam Setliff (63.72m) and the 1997 world champion in shot put, John Godina (63.48m).
In group A only 3 athletes achieved the automatic standard (63.00m). First was the world record holder, German Jurgen Schult with a mark of 64.60 in his 2nd attempt.
Second was Ukrainian Vitaliy Sidorov with 63.08m in his 1st attempt, and 3rd was Vasili Kaptyukh (63.06m). The 3rd German athlete in this competition, Andreas Seelig was 4th with 62.94m, and will take part in the decisive event.
Lithuanian Vaclavas Kidykas (61.40m), 6th in the 1997 lists, and this year’s Central American and Caribbean Champion, and 7th performer of the season, Cuban Alexis Elizalde (61.48m) didn’t advance to the final.
