Echikunwoke improves to fourth at World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet in Chorzów
Throws seventh 70m plus in eight appearances
Reigning African record holder in the Hammer Throw, Echikunwoke Annette improved to a fourth place finish at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet, the ORLEN Janusz Kusociński Memorial in Chorzów, Poland on Sunday with her 71.25m effort.
The Nigerian had finished fifth three days ago at another World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet, the Irena Szewinska Memorial in Bydgoszcz, also in Poland.
At the meet in Bydgoszcz, the 25 year old threw under 70m for the first in seven meetings this year.
Echikunwoke, who is ranked the ninth best Hammer Thrower in the world so far this year resumed normal service with her 71.25m throw in Chorzów. It was her seventh winning throw over 70m so far this year and holds a 73.67m personal season’s best which she threw last month in Tuscon, Arizona, USA.
That mark is the best by an African athlete so far this year.
Like she did last year, Echikunwoke is the only African woman who has hit the 70m mark so far this year.
He personal best of 75.49m which she set last year in Tuscon, Arizona is an African record. She is also the only African woman in history who has hit the 70m mark in the event.
At the event in Chorzów, home girl and three time Olympic gold medallist and four time World Champion Anita Wlodarczyk won with her 75.76m throw while the second and third positions also went to Polish athletes Malwina Kopron (75.08m) and Ewa Rozanska (71.31m).
