Can Barbora Špotáková win a third Olympic title at the age of forty? It’s not beyond the realms of possibility. Here’s our women’s javelin preview for Tokyo.
Schedule
Tuesday 3 August 01:20 UK Time (Qualification) Friday 6 August 12:50 UK Time (Final)
2021 Furthest Throws
| 2021 Rankings | Distance (m) | Athlete | Country |
| 1 | 71.4 | Maria Andrejczyk | Poland |
| 2 | 69.19 | Christin Hussong | Germany |
| 3 | 67.4 | Maggie Malone | USA |
| 4 | 66.55 | Huihui Lyu | China |
| 5 | 65.13 | Nikola Ogrodníková | Czech Republic |
| 6 | 64.98 | Yuzhen Yu | China |
| 7 | 64.81 | Līna Mūze | Latvia |
| 8 | 64.68 | Victoria Hudson | Austria |
| 9 | 64.56 | Shiying Liu | China |
| 10 | 63.85 | Tatsiana Khaladovich | Belarus |
British interest
There are no British entrants for the women’s javelin
The favourites
Maria Andrejczyk has thrown further than all but two women in history and is close to a favourite in my eyes. That throw in Split is almost eight metres further than she has thrown elsewhere this year and she has finished second in the Diamond League in Monaco and Oslo to Barbora Špotáková and Christin Hussong respectively. Each time in those events she threw further than the eventual winner but was denied by the final three format (which is not in Tokyo).
Each time it was by a whisker however and Barbora Špotáková will fancy her chances, having won in Monaco. She is the twice Olympic Champion in 2008 and 2012 and won bronze in Rio. This may be a bridge too far but the competition is wide open.
Christin Hussong’s sheer consistency puts her in a very good position having thrown over 65 metres five times this year and winning in Oslo. She was fourth in the Doha World Champs.
Maggie Malone is an interesting prospect and goes to Tokyo undefeated, having not competed so far outside the USA. Her 67.40 best came just days ago on 17 July.
Huihui Lyu has medalled at each of the three most recent World Champs and this may be her final shot at Olympic glory. She has won all but one competition in her native China.
Nikola Ogrodníková is a second Czech interest in the competition and could cause an upset if at her best.
Our medal predictions
- Maria Andrejczyk
- Christin Hussong
- Maggie Malone
Records
WR: 72.28m Barbora Špotáková (2008)
OR: 71.53m Osleidys Menéndez (2004 Athens)
Enjoy our women’s javelin preview? Check out the rest of the events below.
Featured image “ATHLETISSIMA 2012 – Javelot dames – Barbora ŠPOTÁKOVÁ” by DeGust is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
