Throws Women - Russians in the favourite position
Swetlana Kriwelyowa is leading in the entry-list with 20,53 meter, which is the best result a woman shot puter got this year in Europe. But she is only three centimeters ahead from the second Russian, Irina Korzhanenko. Together with Wita Pawlitsch, who is third in the list, these are the only one, who beat the 20 meter-mark in Europe.
Olga Kusenkova
Only 15 shot puter will compete in Munich, the eldest one is Wita Pawlitsch from the Ukraine, who is the title defender. In Budapest 1998 she won with 21,69 meter, this year the 37 years old athlete is in the list with 20,07 meter! Its not improbable, that she will defend her titel, even though, the two Russians are half a meter ahead.Astrid Kumbernuss, the Olympic Champion from Germany didn`t reach the 20 meter-mark this year, but she should fight her way to a medal. Nadine Kleinert, the Vice-Worldchampion from Edmonton, will also have good chances to step in the fight for a medal.
Title-defender Franka Dietzsch will not compete - Sadowa ist number one
Natalya Sadowa is at the moment the number one in Europe in the Discus. The 30 years old Russian throw 67,73 meter at the begin of June and is one and a half meter ahead from Ellina Zwerewa from Belarus. It could be a clear affair for the World Champion from Russia, because Ellina Zwerewa won´t compete in Munich, she isn´t in the entry list. But the two greek thrower, Anastasia Kelesidou and Ekaterini Vogoli, who already reached the final, four years ago, are expected to fight for a medal.
Franka Dietzsch, the title defender from Germany won`t compete in Munich. She was injured the whole season and it doesn`t make sense, to compete, if she is not in a good shape. Surprisingly strong is Melina Robert-Michon, who starts for France. The 23 years old athlete is number three in the entry-list and reached a best mark in this season. She improved by almost two meters compared to last year.
Kelly Morgan suddenly belongs to the favourite-circle in javelin throw
Kelly Morgan is the big surprise of the season. The 22 years old young lady from Great Britain improved this year by more than six meters and reached unbelievable 64,87 meters. So she should be a big competitor for Tatyana Schikolenko from Russia, who is leading the top-list in Europe with 65,08 meters. It could be an exciting event in Munich. Even though the english thrower is suffering on a shoulder injury in was only third at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. But she has a big potenzial.
The two German competiors, Steffi Nerius and Dörthe Friedrich will also have a medal chance. Steffi Nerius, who was injured a long time seems now in a very good shape. The 30 years old thrower reached 64,55 meter at the 27th of July at the last test-competition in Leverkusen. After mont of doubts, now she has a lot of self-confidence and it`s possible, that it helps her, to get a medal.
The hammer throw event will be on a high level - four women over 70 meters
The hammer throw event in Munich will be on a high level. Four women throw already more than 70 meters in this season. The Russian silver medal winner from Edmonton, Olga Kuzenkowa is leading the list with 73,07 meter, second is the Junior world record holder, Kamila Skolimowaska from Poland with 72,60 meter, followed by Manuela Montebrun from France, who reached 72,54 meter.
It`s not so easy anymore to reach a new world record in the womens hammer throw, than at the beginning, but the event in Munich will be thrilling. The world best thrower in this event come from Europe, so the level is as high as at a World Championship.
41 athletes want to compete in the Olympic stadium. And there are a lot of very young women, they participate. Berta Castells from Spain is only 18 years old. It`s still a competition which will develope very fast.
Ursula Kaiser
