After the third day of competition at the World Championships in Berlin, the Zagreb
Grand Prix can boast with at least three reigning World Champions on 31 August 2009.[:]
After shot putter Christian Cantwell, the 2009 IAAF Zagreb Grand Prix has the Hammer Throw World Champion Primoz Kozmus and the world’s best triple jumper Yargelis Savigne on its entry list.
Primoz Kozmus of Slovenia, who will attract many fans from his hometown of Brezice, which is not far away from Zagreb, is the only one who threw over 80 metres in the hammer throw final. The winning throw of the current Olympic Champion was 80.84 metres.
„I was throwing very well and I am happy that my body did not betray me at the World Championships. It was a bit unusual competition. I don’t know what was happening. Everyone was so nervous. They didn’t throw well. I expected better throws from Pars, but it wasn’t his day“, said the best hammer thrower of today and a regular guest at Zagreb Primoz Kozmus.
Hungary’s Krisztian Pars, who had the world’s furthest throw this year, failed to win a medal. But, the last year’s winner of Zagreb GP and Zagreb Meeting record holder will have a chance for a rematch against Primoz Kozmus in Zagreb.
Croatian record holder Andras Haklits also offered a good performance and finished seventh, which is the best result of a male Croatian track and field athlete at World Championships ever.
Cuba’s triple jumper Yargelis Savigne defended her World Champion title from Osaka two years ago. She had no real competition in Berlin, she was the only one who came close to 15 metres. She jumped 14.95m.
„I would like to dedicate this win to my family, my Grandma, who passed away recently, and the people of Cuba, Guantanamo and Pinar del Rio. I lacked coordination at the beginning, as I was very nervous, but I told myself I had to stay focused. This time, it wasn’t important to jump over 15 metres, but just win,“ said the Women’s Triple Jump World Champion.
But, it’s not all. Another guest of Zagreb showed a great performance. Savigne’s compatriot Mabel Gay achieved her season’s best result, jumping 14.61m and winning the silver medal.