Hammer-thrower Włodarczyk takes gold in Beijing
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
27.08.2015 15:19
Polish hammer-thrower Anita Włodarczyk has taken her second ever World Championships title, winning in Beijing with an unprecedented lead over her fellow competitors.
Anita Włodarczyk embraces coach Krzysztof Kaliszewski. Photo: PAP/Adam Warżawa
Włodarczyk's best throw was 80.85 metres, some 4.52 metres further than Chinese silver medallist Wenxiu Zhang, marking the largest gap between winner and runner-up in the history of the championships.
There had been high hopes among Polish fans that world record holder Włodarczyk would rise to the occasion in Beijing, and they were not left disappointed.
The 30-year-old from Rawicz, mid-western Poland, could barely contain her joy on finishing the final, running over to embrace her coach Krzysztof Kaliszewski.
Włodarczyk has an impressive record in the event, winning the World Championships in Berlin in 2009, as well as the European Championships in both 2012 and 2014. She took silver in the London Olympics of 2012.
Earlier this month she became the first woman ever to throw the hammer beyond 80 metres. Today she was just 23 cm off her own world record of 81.08 metres.
Poland is currently performing remarkably well in the tournament, coming in fifth overall in the medal table, with two golds, one silver and three bronzes.
The games end on 30 August. (nh/rk)