Robert Harting, 2011 WC Discus, gold medalist, photo by PhotoRun.net
Robert Harting, when we met with him in Hengelo, told us that he was not happy with his throwing at the time. ” I need some more training,” Harting noted. He was focused, he told us, on the World Championships and was quite concerned about his competitors.
Well, Robert Harting just did it. In his first attempt, he threw 68.49m, went into first place. He held it all night. His series, 68.49m, a foul, 68.10, 68.97m, 66.33, and a foul, gave him three throws that would have taken the gold medal.
Gerd Kanter, 2011 WC discus, silver medalist, photo by PhotoRun.net
Gerd Kanter of Estonia, took the silver, throwing 66.95m in his second throw. His series was 62.79m, 66.95m, 66.13m, 66.90m, a foul, and then, 65.83m.
Ehsan Hadadi, 2011 WC Discus, bronze medalist (photo from Split 2010), photo by PhotoRun.net
Ehsan Hadadi of Iran took the bronze, with a seasonal best of 66.08m. His series was 65.29m, 64.07m, a foul, a foul, then 66.90m, foul, and finally, 65.83.
In fourth, Mart Isreal of Estonia threw 65.20m. In fifth, Benn Harradine of Australia threw 64.77m. And in sixth, Virgilijus Alekna of Lithuania, two time World and Olympic champion, threw 64.09m.
Harting, as is his custom, ripped off his singlet after winning the gold medal. And why should’nt he? He is the gold medalist in the discus?