That first Morning Session just concluded, so, as promised, I'm typing up this last part of my WC Women's Preview.
As noted before, I'm not cheating (by knowing what's happened, or being the recipient of any "inside" knowledge of what's to come), as the following events won't be happening for another 5 days.
Anyway, without further ado, here's the remainder of the Women's events.
Hammer Throw--August 27
(WR-266-0 or 81.08 MR-258-6 or 78.80)
Anita (Punk Rocker) Wlodarczyk won't only win, she could very well SHATTER her own recently-set World Record.
As for the MR, that very well could fall in Qualifying!!
(BTW, I nicknamed her "Punk Rocker" because of her spiky hairdo, not because I know what her musical tastes are! LOL)
Anyway, back to what's REALLY important here!
Will she suffer the same fate as a former WR holder--Betty Heidler--did awhile back?
Meaning, will she fail to qualify for the Final?
Of course NOT!!
That said, the only real question is--How FAR??!!
It wouldn't shock me if she reaches 270 feet (82.30).
The Hammer's DEPTH is less than in previous years, but Anita does have a few wannabe's to watch out for.
Leading them might be the aforementioned Betty Heidler, who almost certainly WILL make the Finals here!
Others include Martina Hrasnova, Kathrin Klaas, and China's Zheng Wang and Wenxiu Zhang.
How will the Americans fare?
None have reached 240 feet yet this year, but Amber Campbell shows promise.
Some Place marks might fall.
Tatyana Lysenko won Moscow with 258-6, beating Wlodarczyk's 257-5.
Those 2 were the only ones over 250, but 6 made it past 240 feet.
Two Americans finished 9th and 10th two years ago!
400--August 27
(WR-47.60 MR-47.99)
Forget any Records!
And forget seeing Sanya Richards-Ross (SRR) or Francena McCorory here either!
At least in this OPEN 400.
(Both of them WILL run in the 4X400 Relay!!)
Without those 2, this race leaves Allyson Felix to show what she can do at twice her normal distance!
I say she can break the World Record---some day---IF she wanted to!
Others think I'm nuts for saying that!
That said, Felix WILL have some serious competition.
Leading them COULD be Shaunae Miller, who seems to have unlimited potential at this distance, and has already broken 50 seconds.
But veterans Natasha Hastings, Novlene Williams-Mills, Stephanie McPherson, and Christine Ohuruogu will try to prevent an early take-over of their vaunted positions.
Ohuruogu won Moscow in the same time as Silver winner Amantle Montsho, both running 49.41.
Four went sub-50.
Fastest Heat was 50.20.
All 3 Semi's were sub-50, the fastest being 49.56.
20000 Walk--August 28
(WR-1:24:38 OR 1:24:50!! MR-1:25:41)
There's some question as to the actual WR time, but it really doesn't matter here, as it ain't going to be broken!
And maybe not the MR either.
Liu Hong, owner of that 1:24:38 time, is here.
That time hasn't been ratified yet, but I doubt the conditions will be suitable for her to come close to that kind of mark.
Two other Chinese could challenge--Lu Xiuzhi and Qieyang Shenjie.
The top American--Maria Michta-Coffey--actually LOST at USATF to Miranda Melville, who's also here.
But if anyone is going to place better than Michta's own 34th place finish in Moscow, it will be the now-married Michta-Coffey!
Yelena Lashmanova won Moscow's race in 1:27:08.
Top 20 would be a good forward advance for Maria!
100H--August 28
(WR-12.21 MR-12.28)
This USATF Final should be........
Wait a minute, Buddy, this AIN'T the USATF meet, it's the WC!!
Okay, okay, jokes aside, the Final in Beijing is going to LOOK like the USATF Final!!
Not only with true Americans like Sharika Nelvis, Kendra Harrison, Dawn Harper-Nelson, and Brianna Rollins, but with "expatriates" (and sisters!!) Tiffany Porter and Cindy Ofili, both of whom are representing Great Britain here!
Some Place records could be broken.
BIG question!
In Sally Pearson's absence, Australia's fastest 100H Woman is--trumpets, please!--none other than You Tube fave Michelle Jenneke.
Don't laugh!
She's improved mightily in 2015, cutting her time from around 13.30 to 12.82, becoming Australia's 2nd fastest All-Time--behind Pearson!!
Soooooo.....will she make it to the Final?
We shall see!
Rollins beat Pearson in 2013, 12.44 to 12.50.
Only Rollins got under 12.50, with 4 making it under 12.60.
Fastest Heat & Semi were 12.55 and 12.50.
Long Jump--August 28
(WR-24-8.50 or 7.53 MR-24-1.75 or 7.36)
Expect the above Records to remain the same!
Brittney Reese, who has threatened 24 feet in years past, doesn't seem as sharp this year.
That equalizes things a bit, giving Tianna Bartoletta, Christabel Nettey, Ivana Spanovic, Darya Klishina, Janay DeLoach Soukup, and Shara Proctor a fair chance to medal.
Reese won Moscow with 23 feet even.
But 8 leaped at least 22 feet!
200--August 28
(WR-21.34 MR-21.74)
Allyson Felix, as I noted earlier, says she's NOT doubling, opting for the 400 only in individual events.
And SAFP says she IS doubling, with her 2nd event being this one!
With a 10.70 PR in the 100, you would think she could run at least 21.80.
But she's yet to break even 22, let alone 2 or 3 tenths faster!!
But the potential remains, IMHO.
So don't be too shocked to see her winning time beginning with 21.
That said, she has some VERY serious challengers, all in the 22.0 to 22.3 range.
They are Candyce McGrone, Dafne Schippers, Shaunae Miller, Jeneba Tarmoh, Blessing Okagbare, VCB, and Jenna Prandini.
Add to that group Jamaica's newest "name", Elaine Thompson, who's run 22.10.
I don't have the final heat sheets for this event yet, but the entry list posted on August 15th by the IAAF has 17 year old phenom Kaylin Whitney listed in the 200.
But I doubt she'll run, as she's officially slated for the sprint Relay.
SAFP won Moscow in 22.17.
Only 3 were faster than 22.70!
Allyson Felix was injured in the Final, not finishing, but she had the fastest Heat and Semi times of 22.59 and 22.30.
4X100 Relay--August 29
(WR-40.82 MR-41.29)
I mentioned Kaylin Whitney as a member of the Sprint Relay quartet.
But I don't know if she'll run in the Final.
If she does---and she DID run with some BIG American vets earlier this year!!--she won't slow the US team down.
They have a shot at the MR, but the WR is just too fast!
Jamaica, as ever, will be their main opponent---assuming both teams get the stick around in the Heats!
Other "contenders" should be Russia, Ukraine, Great Britain, Netherlands, Trinidad & Tobago, France, and maybe even China!
Jamaica CREAMED the United States in Moscow, 41.29 to 42.75!
Five teams got under 43 seconds.
Fastest heat was 41.82--by the US of A!!
High Jump--August 29
(WR & MR-6-10.25 or 2.09)
As with the Men, this event has been in a slump in 2015.
Heights well below 2 meters have been winning most of the meets.
Might not change much in Beijing!
Look for Ruth Beitia, Anna Chicherova, Blanka Vlasic, Maria Kuchina, Kamila Licwinko to be the main contenders.
You might add Brits Isabel Pooley and her 18 year old teammate Morgan Lake to that group.
(CORRECTION--I had MORGAN Lake listed as LAURA Lake in my first posting. I've now corrected it! Sorry, Morgan!! BTW, I might have been remembering a long ago friend of mine named.....LAURA Lake!! LOL)
There's also 41 year old Venelina Veneva-Mateeva!
Svetlana Shkolina won Moscow's HJ with 6-8.
She was the only one over 6-7, with 6 making at least 6-5.
800--August 29
(WR-1:53.28 MR-1:54.68)
Those Records are safe!
Eunice Sum won Moscow's Final in just 1:57.38.
If she runs that kind of time here, she'll have LOTS of women around her!
They are Rosemary Almanza, Selina Buchel, Sifan Hassan (Doubling??), Lynsey Sharp, Fabianne Kohlmann, and maybe Caster Semenya.
Americans line up with some question marks.
Brenda Martinez doesn't appear to be the same as when she won the Bronze medal in Moscow.
Alysia Montano is still coming back from giving birth.
Molly Ludlow is maybe the most intriguing.
Her official PR is 1:58.68, run earlier this summer, but she recently ran a male-paced "solo" time trial in a reported 1:57.2!!
Also watch out for rapidly rising Canadian star, Fiona Benson!
Besides Sum, 3 more were under 1:58 in Moscow.
Seven got under 2 minutes.
The fastest Heat & Semi were 1:59.39 and 1:58.92.
Marathon--August 30
(WR-2:15:25 MR-2:20:57)
That MR COULD go, but it won't!
Two Dibaba's--no relation to each other or to T or G--are in the field--Mare and Berhane.
Add Edna Kiplagat, Eunice Kirwa, Jemima Sumgong, Tirfi Tsegaye, and Tigist Tufa.
The Americans won't be serious contenders, but Serena Burla is one of them.
Edna Kiplagat won Moscow's 26.2 in 2:25:44, beating italy's Valeria Straneo, who finished just 14 seconds back.
Two got under 2:26, 3 were under 2:30, while 18 got under 2:40.
Americans finished 9th, 18th, and 23rd.
Javelin Throw--August 30
(WR-237-2 or 72.28 MR-236-2 or 71.98)
Like the Men's DT, this is a relatively weak event with some name veterans.
Leading the way might be Barbara Spotakova, but watch out for Kara Winger, Christina Obergfoll, Kim Mickle, Linda Stahl, Sunetta Viljoen, Martina Ratej, and Maria Ahkumova.
Some Place marks could go.
Obergfoll took Moscow with 226-6.
She was the only thrower past 220 feet!
But 4 got past 210.
No US women made the Final!
5000--August 30
(WR-14:11.15 MR-14:38.59)
If Genzebe Dibaba doesn't run faster than 14:38.59, my faith in Humankind will DIE an ugly death!!
Joking aside, Genzebe SHOULD do it--and maybe in her Heat!!
It's a bit ironic that we're speaking of Genzebe's win as a foregone conclusion, but look out for Almaz Ayana, who actually has a FASTER PR than Ms Dibaba!!
If they decide to slug it out---OHHH BABYYY!!
(Or is that BABY BABY, Genzebe's nickname??)
Viola Kibiwot, Mercy Cherono, Mimi Belete, Irene Cheptai, Sembere Teferi, and Getytom Gebreslase are other fast runners.
None of the Americans have yet broken 15:00, but all 3--Nicole Tully, Marielle Hall, and Abbey D'Agostino are THIS close to doing so!
Meseret Defar won in Moscow in 14:50.19, as three were under 15 minutes.
Fastest Heat was 15:22.94.
The Americans finished 6th, 7th, and 12th.
4X400 Relay--August 30
(WR-3:15.18 MR-3:16.71)
The United States is going to have a KNOCK-OUT quartet--and two of them (SRR and McCorory, as mentioned earlier) will be totally fresh, not having any individual events.
That said, they'd have to be PERFECT to break the WR, and I doubt they will.
The Meet Record, however, COULD go down!
Only Jamaica seems likely to challenge them.
But others to watch are Russia, Great Britain, France, Cuba, and Canada.
Is China a dark horse?
Russia and the US tangled in 2013, with Russia winning, 3:20.19 to 3:20.41..
Four got under 3:27.
Fastest Heat was 3:23.51.
Well, folks, that's IT!!
FINALLY!!
Hope you'll read all 4 posts.
And I hope it helps you enjoy this fantastic meet all the way through its 9 days!
See you in a few days with some of what this blog does best---Records and Marks!!
No comments:
Post a Comment