Paweł Fajdek with a result of 76.56 m took fifth place in the qualifying group B and although he did not reach the minimum of 77 meters, he advanced to Sunday’s hammer throw final in the Paris Games. The result, 24 cm worse, also gave promotion to the Olympic champion from Tokyo, Wojciech Nowicki.
Wojciech Nowicki /CHRISTIAN BRUNA/PAP/EPA
35-year-old Paweł Fajdek kept the fans in suspense for a long time, because he had his first two attempts offside and only in the third and last series did he send the hammer to 76.56 m, which was enough for fifth place in the group and ninth in the overall qualifications, and 12 competitors gained a ticket to the final on Friday.
The five-time world champion and bronze medalist at the Tokyo Games has already failed to qualify for the Games twice – in London in 2012 he failed a single attempt, and four years later in Rio de Janeiro he threw too close.
His peer Wojciech Nowicki was classified in 10th place in the eliminations – 76.32. The Olympic gold medalist from Tokyo and this year’s European champion from Rome had his first attempt offside because he threw the hammer outside the designated area, in the second he achieved the distance that was awarded to him, and in the third – 75.50.
His best result this year, from Rome, was 80.95. In turn, Fajdek threw 80.02 in Bydgoszcz.
The leader of the world tables is the world champion, Canadian Ethan Katzberg – 84.38, who confirmed his high form in the qualifications by obtaining 79.93. Second was his compatriot Rowan Hamilton – 77.78, which set a personal record, and third was Ukrainian Mykhailo Kochan – 77.42. A total of five competitors reached the minimum qualification limit.
I approached these eliminations too calmly. The circle is dull, there will be no great results here. I am capable of throwing much further in the final. Today I was fooled by the camera marker. I thought it was set in the middle, but it wasn’t and I made the wrong entrance. I should have set my marker. I have no excuse. The young ones attack, I am old, but I know I am capable of throwing much further in the fight for medals – said the Olympic champion from Tokyo.
Nowicki pointed out that the eliminations were “a bit of a mess”. He admitted that he felt great in the warm-up circle. I expected the same at the main stadium. However, the circle there is much worse. I am happy with the crowds at the morning eliminations. I hope it will be like that more often.
When asked about another strong Canadian, he couldn’t help but admire how fast the Canadians were spinning in the circle. They were moving their legs so fast that it was very impressive. I don’t know exactly how it was possible, or maybe I’m getting old – the Olympic champion from Tokyo speculated.
Nowicki has a unique series in Polish and world track and field. Since 2015, he has brought home medals from every championship event. His collection of gold medals lacks only a medal from the world championships, where he was second twice and third three times.
The final is scheduled for Sunday at 8:30 p.m.
