So, we have been waxing poetically about the Men’s 100 meters, and the women’s 200 meters. But, just as impressive is the Women’s discus field, with Sandra Perkovic, Valerie Allman and Kristin Pudenz. This will be an amazing discus competition, and the field is one of the deepest ever. If you have not seen Valerie Allman throw, you must. She is just more than the 2021 Olympic champion and has set the AR twice in the last year.
Face it, Perkovic and Allman are the two finest discus throwers on the planet. The wonderful throwing that has happened at Hayward Field, suggests that we may see a once in the lifetime discus battle.
I have to say, the Pre Classic folks are really impressing me this year…
Fans of the throws will be in for a special showing on May 28 as the women’s discus returns to The Prefontaine Classic for the first time in six years. A red-hot Valarie Allman will face off against a field that includes the defending Pre Classic champion, Sandra Perkovic, and Olympic silver medalist Kristin Pudenz.
After winning the gold medal in Tokyo and claiming the Wanda Diamond League title last summer, Allman has kept her foot on the gas to start her 2022 campaign. At the Triton Invitational in early April, the former dancer launched the disc 71.46 meters (234-5), adding nearly afoot to her own American record. The mark was the farthest throw since March of 1992, over 30 years ago. With Allman’s strong start to the season, the Pre Classic meet record of 69.32m (227-5) could be in jeopardy, but not without a fight from the current record holder, Perkovic.
The Croatian superstar has a history of strong performances at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. She will look to win her fourth consecutive Pre Classic this year after capturing victories in 2012, 2014, and 2016. Despite just missing out on the podium in Tokyo, Perkovic hopes to build upon her already impressive resume, which includes two Olympic gold medals and two world championship titles, heading into the World Athletics Championships this summer.
The field will also include five other competitors from the Tokyo Olympic games, including the silver medalist Pudenz, finalists Liliana Ca (5th), Shadae Lawrence (7th), and Daisy Osakue (12th), and the American Rachel Dincoff. Great Britain’s Jade Lally and four-time NCAA all-American Laulauga Tausaga round out the start list.
The women’s discus is a Diamond Discipline a will take place on Saturday, May 28. Tickets are on sale at PreClassic.com.
