Olympic Preview: Men's and Women's Throws
The Olympics start next week, and track and field competition kicks off Friday, August 12. The throws will begin with the women's shot put qualifying rounds on Friday, August 12, at 8:05AM CST. Check out our rundown of the Olympic throws events below!
Shot Put
Women
Friday, August 12Qualification 8:05AM CST
Finals 8:00PM CST
Last three podiums
2015 Worlds: Christina Schwanitz, Gong Lijiao, Michelle Carter2013 Worlds: Valerie Adams, Christina Schwanitz, Gong Lijiao
2012 Olympics: Valerie Adams, Yevgeniya Kolodko, Gong Lijiao
Team USA with 2016 season bests
Michelle Carter (19.59m), Felisha Johnson (19.26m), Raven Saunders (19.33m)Other contenders
Lijaio Gong (CHN), Valerie Adams (NZL), Christina Schwanitz (GER), Anita Marton (HUN)2016 world leaders
Lijiao Gong (20.43m), Valerie Adams (20.19m), Christina Schwanitz (20.17m)How are America's chances?
One major name is missing from the list of U.S. women throwing the shot in Rio: top-ranked American thrower Tia Brooks. She finished fourth at the Olympic Trials, but Brooks owns a PR of 19.73m--the No. 4 throw in the world. Her performance at the Trials (she threw 18.94m) wasn't good enough to beat out Michelle Carter, Raven Saunders, and Felisha Johnson, which goes to show just how deep the American women are in this event.As a result, the leader of Team USA is veteran thrower Michelle Carter. While she has more experience than anyone, the American shot put squad, last year was her first world outdoor medal. Her 2016 19.59m season's best ranks her fifth in the world, but her 20.21m winning throw at World Indoors proves she's got more in the tank. I won't be shocked if she returns from Rio with a medal around her neck. Although her top performance still ranks behind world-class elites like Lijiao Gong and Valerie Adams, Carter tends to perform best when it matters most. Even in a year plagued with injuries, Carter was still able to capture the bronze medal at Worlds last year in Beijing.
Felisha Johnson and Raven Saunders aren't completely out of the medal competition, either. This is the first outdoor world championship at the senior level for both women, but neither is a stranger to high-stakes competition. Saunders is a two-time NCAA outdoor champion, and Johnson won two NCAA indoor titles. Rio will certainly be great a experience for both women, but it might be another year or two before they dominate an international field of veteran women.
Who will win or medal?
Gong and Adams are top, multiple-time world medalists looking to battle for gold in Rio. Adams didn't compete at Worlds last year after surgery, but won in 2012 and 2008 and has a CRAZY number of world titles when you look at her history indoors and out. Gong was third in London in 2012, and was third at the 2013 World Championships. She finally broke her third-place streak last year when she drew energy from her hometown crowd to win silver in Beijing. Carter has a fighting chance at getting on podium, especially since she gained confidence beating Adams at World Indoors this year. If Adams is in peak shape and Lijiao brings her best in Rio, it will be tough to determine who comes away with gold until the very end. My picks: Adams, gold; Lijiao, silver; Carter bronze.
Men
Thursday, August 18Qualifying Round 7:55AM CST
Finals 6:30 PM CST
Last three podiums
2015 Worlds: Joe Kovacs, David Storl, O'Dayne Richards2013 Worlds: David Storl, Ryan Whiting, Dylan Armstrong
2012 Olympics: Tomasz Majewski, David Storl, Reese Hoffa
Team USA with 2016 season bests
Ryan Crouser (22.11m), Joe Kovacs (22.13m), Darrell Hill (21.63m)Other contenders
David Storl (GER), Stephen Mozia (NGR), Tomas Walsh (NZL), Tomas Majewski (POL)2016 world leaders
Joe Kovacs, Ryan Crouser, Stephen Mozia (21.76m)How are America's chances?
At least two out of three of these American men should come home with a medal. World leader Joe Kovacs has thrown 22.13m this year, and not far behind him is Chula Vista, California, training partner Ryan Crouser who is No. 2 on the world list. Kovacs is the only team member with international experience at the senior level but Crouser and Hill are highly decorated college throwers.Crouser won a combined four NCAA titles indoor and outdoor, making him one of many Olympic athletes who helped build a track and field legacy at the University of Texas. He threw his season's best 22.11m mark at the Trials where he finished first in the event. Crouser doesn't have world titles under his belt yet like his teammate Kovacs, who won the 2015 world title in Beijing, but he's still got a great shot at making the podium.
Crouser shared his goals for the outdoor season with FloTrack after winning his second collegiate indoor title with a throw of 21.28m back in February.
Just behind the world leaders is Darrell Hill, who snagged the third spot on the shot put team. Hill is a Penn grad with a personal best of 21.63m, but his father recently made headlines. While working as an Uber driver, Hill's father told a passenger about how much he wished he could watch his son compete in Rio. Thanks to a crowdfunding campaign started by the generous passenger who was moved by the story, Hill will get to share his Olympic journey with his father, who will be in the stands in Rio.
Who will win or medal?
Kovacs and Crouser should both be on the podium unless someone under the radar seriously ups their game. The American duo isn't guaranteed a spot on the podium, but I'd be shocked to see anyone else wear the gold medal. That said, the battle for the third podium spot that will be where the action is really at. Nigerian Stephen Mozia just notched a personal-best 21.76m throw that ranks him No. 3 in the world, but he has never made the podium at an outdoor world championship, and is still relatively green on the international circuit. New Zealand's Tom Walsh could be a strong third-spot contender as well. Walsh won the world indoor title in Portland, and finished second to Kovacs at the Pre Classic. My picks: Crouser, gold; Kovacs, silver; Walsh, bronze.Hammer Throw
Women
Friday, August 12Qualification Group A - 6:40PM CST; Qualification Group B - 8:10PM CST
Monday, August 15
Final 8:40AM CST
Last three podiums:
2015 Worlds: Anita Wlodarczyk, Wenxiu Zhang, Alexandra Tavernier2013 Worlds: Tatyana Lysenko, Anita Wlodarczyk, Wenxiu Zhang
2012 Olympics: Tatyana Lysenko, Anita Wlodarczyk, Betty Heidler
Team USA with 2016 season bests:
Gwen Berry (76.31m), Amber Campbell (74.03m), DeAnna Price (73.09m)Other contenders
Anita Wlodarczky (POL), Betty Heidler (GER), Wenxiu Zhang (CHN), Alexandra Tavernier (FRA)2016 world leaders
Anita Wlodarczyk (80.26m), Gwen Berry (76.31m), Betty Heidler (75.77m)How are America's chances?
Technically, Berry has thrown 76.31m, which ranks her second in the world. But the mark doesn't count on the world-leading list because of a suspension Berry incurred in November when her inhaler wasn't declared on time. The three-month suspension was costly for Berry, who was stripped of her American record, but she was still allowed to compete in the Trials. In Eugene, she threw 73.09m to qualify for Rio, where she'll be a top candidate for a medal. Berry's American teammates, Campbell and Price, also have a shot at the podium, but it's less likely they'll be in the hunt for gold. Campbell is the reigning world indoor champion in the weight throw and is ranked No. 7 in the world for the hammer throw. She's seen steady improvement all season, and just threw a personal best of 74.03m at the Trials. Price is a two-time NCAA champion who just made her first senior world team. She's young, but has already thrown 73.09m this year. It might be a long shot for Price to medal in 2016, but she'll gain valuable exposure to a world championship field that will make her an asset to Team USA in years to come.
Who will win or medal?
Wlodarczyk has 10 throws in 2016 that rank above any other competitor in the world. The Polish gold-medal favorite won silver in 2012 and will return to Rio as the reigning world champion. It's not uncommon for one or two women to be clear favorites for gold in the Olympic throws competitions, but Wlodarczyk takes dominance to a whole new level. When it comes down to who will earn the last two spots on the podium, the U.S. has strong candidates in Berry and Campbell. However, German Betty Heidler is No. 3 in the world, and was the bronze medalist in 2012, so it wouldn't be surprising to find her standing beside Wlodarczyk in the medal ceremony. My picks: Wlodarczyk, gold; Gwen Bery, silver; Heidler, bronze.Men
Wednesday, August 17Qualifications 7:40AM CST
Friday, August 19
Finals 7:05PM CST
Last three podiums
2015 Worlds: Pawel Fajdek, Dilshod Nazarov, Wojciech Nowicki2013 Worlds: Pawel Fajdek, Krisztian Pars, Lukas Melich
2012 Olympics: Kristin Pars, Primoz Kozmus, Koji Murofushi
Team USA with 2016 season bests
Rudy Winkler (76.76), Kibwe Johnson (75.11m) , Conor McCullough (74.79m)Other contenders
Pawel Fajdek (POL), Ivan Tsikhan (BLR), Dilshod Nazarov (TJK), Wojciech Nowicki (POL), Krisztian Pars (HUN)2016 world leaders
Pawel Fajdek (81.87m), Ivan Tsikhan (80.04m), Dilshod Nazarov (78.87m)How are America's chances?
Not excellent. Rudy Winkler is 22nd on the world list--well behind world leader Fajdek. Winkler threw his season's best (76.76m) at the Trials and is peaking at the right time, but it would take the performance of his life to make the podium. Behind him, Kimble Johnson and Conor McCullough are respectable competitors against the U.S., but they aren't throwing what it takes right now to compete with world leaders who can heave 80-meter throws.Who will win or medal?
Pawel Fajdek didn't make the Olympic finals in 2012, but has come a long way in the last four years. Fajdek is defending world champ (he won in 2013 and 2015) and is a strong favorite for gold in Rio. The Pole has been absolutely dominant in 2016 and has 10 throws that are better than No. 2 Ivan Tsikhan's best of 80.04m. With the marks he's posted, it's no surprise he's had an undefeated season, which makes him the guy I'd bet my money on (if I had any) in the men's hammer competition.Although Tsikhan won't challenge Fajdek for the top spot, he's likely still the best candidate for silver. Tskihan won two world titles, and then won bronze and silver, but then sat out two years from competition for a doping offense. The 40-year-old has came back strong since the end of the ban in 2014, but could still be challenged by guys like 2015 world silver medalist Dilshod Nazarov. My picks: Pawel Fajdek, gold (duh), Ivan Tsikhan, silver; Dilshod Nazarov, bronze.
Fajdek threw 80.88m to win gold last year in Beijing at the World Championships!
Video courtesy of Eurosport
Discus Throw
Women
Monday, August 15Qualification Group A, 6:30PM CST; Qualification Group B, 7:50PM CST;
Tuesday, August 16
Finals 9:20AM CST
Last three podiums
2015 Worlds: Denia Caballero, Sandra Perkovic, Nadine Muller2013 Worlds: Sandra Perkovic, Melina Robert-Michon, Yarelys Barrios
2012 Olympics: Sandra Perkovic, Li Yanfeng, Yarelys Barrios
Team USA with 2016 season bests
Whitney Ashley (64.62m), Kelsey Card (63.52m), Shelbi Vaughn (60.73m)Other contenders
Sandra Perkovic (CRO), Yaimi Perez (CUB), Julia Fischer (GER), Dani Samuels (AUS), Denia Caballero (CUB), Nadine Muller (GER)2016 world leaders
Sandra Perkovic (70.88m), Yaimi Perez (68.86m), Julia Fischer (68.49m )How are America's chances?
Whitney Ashley has top U.S. throw and is ranked 11th in the world this year. Ashley threw her season's best (64.62m) in April, but hasn't made it near that mark since then. Kelsey Card just threw a PB in Eugene at the Trials, ranks 16th in the world, and just completed her last NCAA season with the national title. NCAA runner-up Shelbi Vaughn also recently completed her collegiate eligibility, and her personal best is quite a ways behind both Card and Ashley. Based on how Card has progressed through the championship season, and Ashley's veteran experience, both have an equal shot at medaling. It's not likely that either would rise to Perkovic's ability
.
Who will win or medal?
Perkovic was second in Beijing, won in Moscow and won in London… she's kind of a big deal. The Croat won every Diamond League meet she entered this outdoor season, and her world-leading throw of 70.88m from March was not challenged all season. It's hard to say who will challenge Perkovic, or if anyone in the field will even be able to. Yaimi Perez has the next-best throw on the world list, but not far behind is No. 3, Julia Fischer, who finished second to Perkovic in Amsterdam. It wouldn't surprise me if Denia Caballero was a top contender either. Even though Caballero ranks fifth in the world, she was the world champion in 2015, and has been throwing strong all season by finishing in the top three at major meets in Oslo and Stockhom. If Perkovic holds her composure, she's a shoo-in for gold, but the silver and bronze medals will be where the discus battle is hotly contended. My picks: Perkovic, gold; Caballero, silver; Perez, bronze.
Men
Friday, August 12Qualifying Rounds 7:30AM CST
Friday, August 13
Finals 8:50AM CST
Last three podiums
2015 Worlds: Piotr Malachowski, Philip Milanov Robert Urbanek2013 Worlds: Robert Harting, Piotr Malachowski, Gerd Kanter
2012 Olympics: Robert Harting, Ehsan Haddadi, Gerd Kanter
Team USA with 2016 season bests
Mason Finley (66.72m), Tavis Bailey (65.82m), Andrew Evans (65.41m)Other contenders
Piotr Malachowski (POL), Christoph Harting (GER), Robert Harting (GER)2016 world leaders
Piotr Malachowski (68.15m), Christoph Harting (68.06m), Robert Harting (68.04m)How are America's chances?
Mediocre at best. Finley is 14th on the world list, and Bailey is 22nd. While Finley's 66.72m mark set at the Trials was a new PB, it's not likely he'll make another huge jump to compete with Malachowski. Like Finley, Tavis Bailey and Andrew Evans threw well enough to qualify for Rio, but can't stack up with the competitors at the top of this field.Who will win or medal?
Reigning world champion Piotr Malachowski of Poland is the best bet for Olympic gold. He's been throwing 68 meters consistently throughout the outdoor season this year, and has more than a decade of experience competing at the world-championship level. Malachowski finished fifth in London but was a silver medalist in 2008. He returns to Rio with a world lead of 68.15m, just slightly ahead of No. 2-ranked German Christoph Harting. Harting and his older brother Robert will likely battle for podium spots. My picks: Malachowski, gold; Christoph Harting, silver; Robert Harting, bronze.Javelin Throw
Women
Tuesday, August 16Qualification Group A, 6:35PM CST; Qualification Group B, 7:50PM CST
Thursday, August 18
Finals 7:10PM CST
Last three podiums
2015 Worlds: Katharina Molitor, Lyu Huihui, Sunette Viljoen2013 Worlds: Christina Obergfoll, Kimberley Mickle, Mariya Abakumova
2012 Olympics: Barbora Spotakova, Christina Obergofoll, Linda Stahl
Team USA with 2016 season bests
Maggie Malone (62.19m), Kara Winger (61.72m), Brittany Barman (61.27m)Other contenders
Barbara Spotakova (CZE), Christin Hussong (GER), Tatsiana Khaladovich (BLR), Kathryn Mitchell (AUS), Sunette Viljoen (RSA)2016 world leaders
Barbara Spotakova (66.87m) Christin Hussong (66.41m) Tatsiana Khaladovich (66.34m)How are America's chances?
The level of talent in the Olympic field could lead to lifetime best performances from all three women--especially Malone, who is the top-ranked American at No. 21 on the world list. But it's unlikely that any of the American women will make the podium. From an international perspective the U.S. women's javelin competitors are still far from being the best in the world. The three women who will compete in Rio are the only Americans who even had the standard. The Trials field didn't come close to the 62m Olympic-qualifying mark, meaning there was no real competition for spots on the team. Though Malone, Winger, and Barman are the best throwers the U.S. has to offer, they probably won't come close to making the podium.Check out this Workout Wednesday with Team USA Javelin Thrower Kara Winger!
Who will win or medal?
Barbara Spotakova took gold in 2008 and 2012, and her streak should continue 2016. Spotakova knows how to bring her A-game when it counts, and that's why she'll win a third gold medal in Rio. The Czech superstar threw a world-record 72.28m in 2008 before the Games in Beijing, where she neared the world-record mark once again with a throw of 71.42m. Since then, she's thrown well enough to place second at the world championships, but for the fell from the top for the first time last year. In Beijing, Spotakova's ninth-place finish was disappointing, and a new wave of women took control of the podium.Top finishers Lyu Huihui and Sunette Vijoen could threaten Spotakova's quest for the three-peat in Rio. The women were second and third at Worlds last year, and will vie for podium spots against along with world leaders Christin Hussong and Tatiana Khaladovich. Vijoen was fourth in London and third at the World Championships in 2015, but she hasn't competed much in the outdoor season and her best performance could still be yet to come. My picks: Spotakova, gold; Sunette Vijoen, silver; Christin Hussong, bronze.
Men
Wednesday, August 17Qualifications 6:30PM CST
Saturday, August 20
Finals 6:55PM CST
Last three podiums
2015 Worlds: Julius Yego, Ihab El-Sayed, Tero Pitkämäki2013 Worlds: Vitezslav Vesely, Tero Pitamaki, Dmitriy Tarabin
2012 Olympics: Keshorn Walcott, Oleksandr Pyatnytsya, Antti Ruuskanen
Team USA with 2016 season bests
Sam Crouser, Sean Furey, Cyrus Hostetler*Only three in the field with the Olympic standard*