Pitkamäki throws 87.17m in Joensuu (FIN) 22. July 08

World Javelin Champion and European Athlete of the Year Tero Pitkamäki, confirmed his good shape at an international meeting in Finland on Wednesday, with a massive 87.17m opening throw.

Followed his season's best 87.70m throw at the Golden League in Rome last weekend, this second high 80m mark is sparking Finnish hopes of an Olympic gold in the countries favourite event.

Another Finnish star brought his A-game to Joensuu, Finland's Long Jump record holder, Tommi Evila, recorded two +8m jumps, but both were wind aided (8.23m +4.0 and 8.08m +3.7).

The same wind aided athletes in the Sprints heats, but it turned into a head-wind for the finals, with Ukrainian Olympic medallist Olena Krasovska clocking 13.04 (+2.3) in the 100m Hurdles heat, but only 13.54 (-2.0) in the final event.

Estonia's Mart Israel registered the best men's Discus result (63.30m) ahead of Finish Olympian Frants Kruger (62.38m) and World Junior record holder Mykyta Nesterenko of Ukraine (61.98m).

Kenya's Kiprono Menjo took an expected win over 2,000m (5:05.25), however Estonia's Tiidrek Nurme (5:06.02) and European Steeplechase Champion Jukka Keskisalo (5:07.45) both put up a good fight, with Keskisalo running a lifetime best for third place.

Results

	Athlete		1	2	3	4	5	6	Result
1	Märt Israel	EST	57,75	62,24	63,30	58,52	X	X	63,30
2	Frantz Kruger	FIN	62,38	61,42	X	X	X	X	62,38
3	Mykyta Nesterenko	UKR	X	58,22	X	61,98	X	X	61,98
4	Jouni Walden	FIN	58,02	58,12	57,34	54,90	56,59	57,30	58,12
5	Mika Loikkanen	FIN	57,27	56,87	53,18	54,15	57,48	56,50	57,48

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