After the extremely confident final qualification, Lukas Weißhaidinger wanted to leave Hayward Field in Eugene as quickly as possible on Sunday evening. In the very first attempt, the man from the Innviertel had qualified for the final in the discus throw at the World Athletics Championships in front of his girlfriend Hanna.
He threw the disc at 66.51 meters and thus surpassed the required standard of 66 meters right away. The reward was a kiss from his lucky charm. The Olympic bronze medalist in Tokyo 2021 now also wants to get involved in the medal decision on Wednesday night.
“I know what I have to do. I’ll go to the extreme. That’s the goal, that’s what the motivation is,” says the 30-year-old. Nevertheless, the third at the European Championships, World Championships and Olympics says: “The final will be one of my most difficult championships that I will ever do. Because the competition is very strong.” Coach Gregor Högler agreed that it would be difficult, but: “Luki’s technique has never been as good as it is now.” The competition includes Olympic champion Daniel Stahl from Sweden, his compatriot and Tokyo runner-up Simon Pettersson, top favorite Kristjan Ceh (Slo) and young star Mykolas Alekna from Lithuania. Högler hopes that the first throw is already in place – like in the qualification. “Full risk, you can’t win anything at 66.” To speak of gold, however, would be presumptuous.
Susanne Walli from Linz delivered a precision landing over 400 meters. She ran a time of 52.18 seconds in the first heat at Hayward Field, finished fourth, but ultimately advanced to the semifinals in 24th on the time rule. “I took away from the Olympic Games that there is something inside when you call up your performance, that you don’t have to hide,” said the Tokyo semi-finalist, who is back in action on Thursday night.
Tenth Gold Medal
What the US men achieved in the 100-meter final, Jamaica’s sprinters also achieved with the women: The Caribbean island celebrated thanks to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (10.67 seconds), Shericka Jackson (10.73 ) and Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah (10.81) a triple success. With her winning time, 25-year-old Fraser-Pryce is the fastest world champion in history, and it was her tenth world championship gold medal. Only the American Allyson Felix (13) and her compatriot Usain Bolt (11) have more triumphs. Grant Holloway (110-meter hurdles), Ryan Crouser (shotgun), Brooke Andersen (hammer throw) and Katie Nageotte (pole vault) brought the United States four more gold medals on Sunday.
Source: Nachrichten
