On paper the women’s hammer would appear to be the USA’s to lose but there are plenty of subplots to what should be an exciting throws competition. Here’s our women’s hammer preview for the Tokyo Olympics.
Schedule
Sunday 1 August 01:10 UK Time (Qualification) Tuesday 3 August 12:35 UK Time (Final)
2021 Furthest Throws
| 2021 Rankings | Distance (m) | Athlete | Country |
| 1 | 80.31 | DeAnna Price | USA |
| 2 | 78.18 | Brooke Andersen | USA |
| 3 | 77.93 | Anita Włodarczyk | Poland |
| 4 | 76.79 | Gwen Berry | USA |
| 5 | 75.52 | Camryn Rogers | Canada |
| 6 | 75.5 | Janee’ Kassanavoid | USA |
| 7 | 75.49 | Annette Echikunwoke | Nigeria |
| 8 | 75.42 | Malwina Kopron | Poland |
| 9 | 75.38 | Alexandra Tavernier | France |
| 10 | 74.61 | Lauren Bruce | New Zealand |
British interest
There are no British entrants.
The favourites
DeAnna Price is the reigning World Champion and has shown her form already in 2021, being the only athlete in the field to have thrown over 80 metres this year. She is not invincible, however, and has lost twice this year, once to her compatriot Brooke Andersen.
Anderson herself was in turn beaten by the third US entrant Gwen Berry in the USATF Throws Fest back in May. Price’s biggest challenge may well come from her compatriots.
Anita Włodarczyk is the two time and defending Olympic Champ and though she hasn’t thrown over 80 metres since 2017 such is her calibre that you can’t bet against the occassion bringing the best out of her. Alongside her Olympic success she is the world record holder and four time World Champion. She didn’t compete in the 2019 Doha Champs and has enjoyed mixed success so far this season.
Annette Echikunwoke of Nigeria is a bit of an unknown entity but if some of the favourites struggle with the pressure you could yet see her throwing her way into medal contention. She has lost only twice this year and was a close fifth in the USATF Throws Fest.
Our medal predictions
- DeAnna Price
- Anita Włodarczyk
- Brooke Andersen
Records
WR: 82.98m Anita Włodarczyk (2016)
OR: 82.29m Anita Włodarczyk (2016 Rio)
Featured image “Hammer throw field @ Annecy” by *_* is licensed under CC BY 2.0
