The fourth qualifying competition told Oliver Helander the truth. The result 82.41 was good enough for the final.
– The qualification went according to plan. Two throws in the warm-up to 70 meters and with the first race throw to the final. Not the best throw in the world, but enough for the final.
So succinctly bundled Oliver Helander his javelin WC qualification.
Coach Tero Pitkämäki had given strict notice in advance.
– Tero said that you can’t lose to this man, Helander reported and meant Egypt Ihab Abdelrahmania.
Helander didn’t know if Pitkämäki had some fish debts with the Egyptian from his own career or if the native of Ostrobothnia took the Egyptian’s old doping cake.
The plan did not succeed, as Abdelrahman threw 83.41 and the Finn one meter less. Both went to the finals.
The race is on
This is where Oliver Helander’s arc of 82.41 started. PASI STOVE LAND/IL
Helander used only one throw in qualifying, even though the qualifying line was 83.50 meters.
– I was ready to continue, but I didn’t have to. I was pretty sure I’d make it to the finals first. It felt so good.
The resident of Raasepo, who lives in Vaasa, did not throw a javelin once in the camp preparing for the World Championships, so the first javelin that hit the ground in the USA from his hand left the night before Friday, Finnish time.
– In Finland, I threw 60 meters from the grass before I left here.
Helander needs exceptionally few training throws, because throwing is very natural. On the other hand, every hard jerk wears the shoulder.
– The shoulder is in quite good shape. Now I got off easy.
Before the Eugene gig, a cortisone spike was put in the shoulder.
– The platform felt good. I didn’t have any problems, Helander said and pointed to the rough throwing place.
The Finn’s three previous races ended in qualifying, so the fourth time said true. Helander vented after his qualifying setback.
– At least a little relief. It would have been a bit bad if he had missed the qualification as fourth in the world statistics, said the man who scored 89.83 this season.
90 meters coming?
Ihab Abdelrahman was Fifth in the javelin qualification with a result of 83.41. EPA / AOP
Helander was sixth in qualifying. The most convincing were the reigning world champions Anderson Peters (89.91) and the reigning Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra (88,39).
The men continued with their seemingly effortless opening attempts.
– You have to throw more than 90 meters if you want to win. I also have a very good chance of that, if everything falls into place.
Julian Weber (87.28) was the third and Jakub Vadlejch fourth (85.23).
80.03 was required for the final of the top twelve. By the way Lassi Etelätalo threw.