All three javelin competitors progress to Osaka final

Paula Tarvainen attempts to open Finnish medals account

Tero Järvenpää

Tero Pitkämäki

Teemu Wirkkala

Paula Tarvainen

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Some better news for a change from Osaka: all three of the Finnish competitors in the men's javelin made it through to Sunday's final after the qualifying rounds held early this morning. As it was, only one of the trio - Tero Järvenpää - actually threw the required distance, but Teemu Wirkkala and Finland's strongest advance medal hope Tero Pitkämäki both sneaked into the top 12 athletes who progressed.
      Järvenpää threw his season's best of 84.35 metres, more than two metres beyond the mark required to qualify, and had the third-best throw of all the qualifiers. His one effort fell only 60 cm short of his personal record of 84.95.
     
Pitkämäki had to throw three times, but his best effort of 80.62 metres, though over ten metres short of the 91.23 he threw earlier this year, was enough for 10th place.
      Teemu Wirkkala threw 79.82 metres, and had to bite his nails while the second qualifying group had their turn. His throw eventually stood up to the attempts of the others, and he finished 11th of the 12 qualifiers.
      The final will be held on Sunday at 19:15 local time (13:15 in Finland). Since it is an event close to the Finnish hearts and also one of the only disciplines in which Finland has strong hopes of Athletics World Championships hardware, it is to be expected there will be a good many television viewers.
     
Friday afternoon sees Paula Tarvainen competing in the women's javelin final. She qualified comfortably with a first throw of 63.58, her season's best, and if she can emulate this performance in the final she could snatch a medal and help to alleviate some of the pressure on the men.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Paula Tarvainen throws season´s best in Osaka to make javelin final (29.8.2007)

Links:
  IAAF World Athletics Championships, Osaka

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