By Ariel Sax
Tatsiana Khaladovich from Belarus won the javelin Friday evening at the Prefontaine Classic with a distance of 217 feet, 6 inches, (66.30 meters), which is only 1 1/2 inches away from her personal best.
Khaladovich maintained most of the farthest throws, which all ranged from 213-7 to 217-6.
Following in second with a distance of 213-11 was Shiying Liu from China, only a little over 4 feet shy from her personal best. This is Liu’s first time competing in the Prefontaine Classic, which also means this is her first time experiencing Hayward Field.
“The environment is very good, and it makes me relaxed and not nervous,” Liu said through a translator.
Liu fouled only once on her fourth round and decided to sit out for the rest of the remaining throws. According to her translator, Liu set a new Asian record a few days ago in Japan by throwing 218-1.
Having two competitions very close to one another made her tired to continue with the last two throws. She knew that she needed to save her energy and rest.
“I want to enhance my technique this next year,” she said.
Coming in third was the youngest woman entered, Sara Kolak from Croatia, with a distance of 212-1.
