Chinese javelin star Yan Ziyi wins Diamond League event, with world’s second-best throw
Eighteen-year-old clinches Oslo title with first attempt, throwing a distance second only to her own season’s best effort in Xiamen last month
Held at Bislett Stadium in Norway, the competition was plagued by a local temperature of just 9 degrees Celsius and scattered cold rain, significantly affecting the throwers’ physical condition and technical execution.
However, Yan showed her strength on her opening attempt by executing a seamless approach, turn and arm whip that sent the javelin into a perfect arc to land at 67.11 metres.
She then recorded a 64.81m on her second attempt.
Given that the low temperature increased the risk of shoulder and elbow injuries, and her first throw had already secured the title, the coaching staff decided to pass on her remaining four rounds.
The opening mark earned her an easy victory, leaving her more than five metres clear of the runner-up, host competitor Sigrid Borge, who took silver with 61.92m. Serbia’s world No 1 Adriana Vilagos claimed bronze on 61.33m.