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Women’s hammer final: Lysenko does it in style
08.08.2006
The predictions were confirmed as world record holder Tatyana Lysenko (RUS) took gold in regal style, smashing the championship record twice to leave it at a massive 76.67m, more than three and a half metres further than the old mark held by her compatriot Olga Kuzenkova.
Gulfiya Khanafeyeva, the other Russian who has been vying with Lysenko for the world record this year, finshed second with 74.50m, while Poland’s Kamila Skolimowska collected bronze with 72.58m. The first six all broke 70.00m, three more than managed that feat four years ago in Munich.
The big guns blazed right from the start as Lysenko went out to a championship record at the first time of asking with a huge 74.85m. The 2000 Olympic champion Skolimowska responded with 72.58m while German champion, Betty Heidler, fouled a throw well over 70m. A throw of 70.89m in round two solved the problem and she was on the board in third. But the German was immediately overtaken by Maryna
Smalyachkova’s (BLR) 71.54m.
Khanafeyeva started off round three with yet another 70m throw but 70.40m was all she could muster for fifth place as she searched for the form that has seen her go out to 77.26m this year when she briefly held the world record.
Lysenko came out for her third round throw asking for rhythmic clapping, surely a first for a hammer competition. Considering Carolina Klüft was still on her triumphal lap round the Ullevi Stadium it was a brave move. But the crowd responded and she rewarded them with another championship record of 76.67m. She was giving all
the appearance of enjoying herself and in between throws she sported some stylish sunglasses, clearly intent on changing the image of the event.
There was to be no movement in the medals until round five when Khanafeyva finally came to life sending the implement out to 74.50m and the silver was hers. In the final round Skolimowska caged it to the right going for a big one and the medals were settled. The two Russians draped themselves in their flag and took a deserved lap of honour.
By Matthew Brown
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