Anita Wlodarczyk, 1/3, taming the hammer, photo by PhotoRun.net
The hammer throw is one of the oldest events in the sport. Take fifteen or twenty minutes to watch the men and women who throw the magnifiscent orb sixty to eight-five meters across the field, and you are hooked. Anita Wlodarczyk is the Paavo Nurmi of the hammer: she sets WRs nearly at whim. Remember that: "nearly". The hammer throw is a demanding mistress, and Anita Wlodarczyk puts all of her energy, speed, control and focus into hurling that mighty beast over eighty meters!
Anita Wlodarczyk, taming the hammer, 2/3, photo of PhotoRun.net
The London World Champs were again a chance to watch the Polish star give a lesson in hammer throwing, which she did. I have been fortunate to see her throw, from Doha in May to the Birmingham and London in August.
Anita Wlodarczyk, taming the hammer, 3/3, photo by PhotoRun.net
In Doha, there were about thirty people watching Anita Wlodarczyk and Pawel Fajdek opening their season. It was like watching a dual meet in cross country, where parents, friends, team mates, a few dogs and a few lost people cheer you on. Yet, we were watching a half dozen of the finest athletes in the world! Three months later, this writer watched Wlodarczyk in front of 55,000 interested track fans.
Do me a favor. This year, on your to do list, put, watching a hammer throw. You will be glad that you did.
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