Watching a huge Estonian jog around the track and do his version of the lightning bolt of Usain Bolt was one of the true treats of the evening….
Piotr Malachowski of Poland took the lead in round one with a 66.45m, then threw 67.82 in round two.
The great Virgilijus Alekna of Lithuania popped his 67.79m in round four, and moved to second. Alekna is this huge tree of a man, who at six foot eight, and graying temples, has not given up on his dream. His throwing looked superb and he showed, with his competitiveness, that the fire is still there.
Gerd Kanter of Estonia, who had been third with his second round 66.38m, threw the winning toss in round four, where he hit 68.82 m for the win!
In fourth, Robert Harting hit 67.09 meters and in fifth, Yeniffer Frank Casanas of Spain threw 66.49 meters.
Russian thrower Bogdan Pishchalnikov hit 65.88m for sixth place, a personal best.
Alekna, all 6-8 of him, noted, ” I am not dissapointed with the bronze, it is quite true that I am not young anymore. I am thinking about finishing my career after 2008, but I have not decided yet. I amy not go to London for the next Olympics.”
Hat off to Gerd Katner, who delighted the crowd as he jogged around the track, Estonian flag flowing in the air, pretending he was flying, floating over the track lanes. He stopped a the finish line, to the delight of the crowd and did his version of the Usain Bolt Lightening Bolt!
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