This is how Oliver Helander’s medal fight crumbled – Tero Pitkämäki’s strict assessment

Oliver Helander came seventh in the javelin final of the World Championships in Budapest on Sunday. The Finn’s best result was a throw of 83.38 in the opening round.

– Oliver fell into the same mistakes as in other races this season. He pushes through throws, and doesn’t hesitate to throw through the support. Then the maximum result is 83 meter corners, coach Tero Pitkämäki said.

Pitkämäki noticed a technical error immediately after the first throw. The last three attempts were marked as ticks.

– I was worried when the same problem appeared in the first round. It’s really hard to fix it in the middle of the race. The last throw was technically the best, but the javelin did not go into position.

Helander’s health has been good for a long time this summer. Physical condition would have made it possible to fight for a medal.

There is still plenty to do.

– In terms of the health situation, we have made progress, but not with technology. It has started to fall apart. Making it work is the number one priority next season. There are no hard things to fix.

The technique was still in order at the end of July at the Kaleva Games.

– It was made to work temporarily, but the problem happened to return. Value competitions often culminate in that, if there is some confusion. The performance level should be more consistent throughout the summer.

Pitkämäki and Helander had not had time to finish the race at the time of the interview. However, the coach could read his protégé’s emotional states a little.

– I could see that he was disappointed. He knew the longer throw was close at last. It must have left a lot in the tooth cavity.

The expected trio

Pitkämäki and Helander estimated in advance that they would have to throw 87 meters to get a medal.

The estimate was close, because Jakub Vadlejch won the WC bronze with an arc of 86.67 meters. of India Neeraj Chopra took the championship as expected (88.17). of Pakistan Arshad Nadeem reached silver (87.82).

– I suspected they were medalists. There were no real surprises.

Chopra threw 88.77 meters in his first qualifying run, even though it was only his third race of the season. The continuation of the Olympic winner’s success in the final was therefore not a surprise.

Last year in Eugene, 90.54 meters was required for the world championship. Silver came off with 88.13 meters, the bronze throw carried 88.09 meters.