Rio silver for Viljoen
On a warm evening in Rio Sunette Viljoen claimed an Olympic Silver medal and took the Team SA tally to nine. The South African had a first trial throw of 64.95 metres, which set her up as the early leader.
Although the 32-year-old struggled to regain that rhythm throwing 61.04 and 63.00 in the second and fourth rounds respectively, it was only in the fourth round that her lead was taken from her by Sara Kolak.
“I was so close to the gold medal it was right there right until the very end, but to win a silver medal – I couldn't ask for more after London," said the Viljoen, who in 2012 had lost her medal in the final round of the competition. “London was never really on my mind, but my heart just began to pump, because gee whiz if I have to lose another medal in the last round. But luckily it never happened, and I was so happy with that.”
“I’ve been praying and dreaming about this for a whole four years, to become an Olympic champion, and to come so close. I tried and tried and I couldn't ask for more,” continued the 32-year-old, whose opener was close to her seasons best of 65.14m. “ I had hoped to throw longer in my first throw because I was throwing huge throws in the warm up because the competition takes so long, and you start to cool down as it goes. I think the hardest thing is staying focused for the whole time.”
Despite being relaxed and confident with her opening trial, South Africa’s ninth medal winner of the games did not look at all comfortable for her final throw. “You know I wanted that medal so much and I know I have a big throw in my arms, I think I just tried too hard,” stated the African champion.
Viljoen will take a couple of days off before going back to Europe for a couple of meetings including Lausanne and Brussels, and then get some rest. The long-term plan is to keep going as long as the Commonwealth Games in 2018 in Australia.
“I don't think people expected me to come back the way I did which makes me even prouder,” she concluded.
The women’s 800m semi-finals were interspersed between the javelin competition, with Caster Semenya receiving one of the larger welcomes into Rio’s Olympic for the third and last semi-final heat. The 25-year-old started in her now traditional fashion taking third place at 200m and dropped to fifth at the 400m which was passed in 57.65.
Semenya commenced her move with 280 metres to go, gradually increasing momentum and position to come off the bend in the lead. An easy acceleration to the 60m mark kept control of the race ahead of Scot Lynsey Sharp, to finish in 1:58.15, the fastest time of the day. Sharp finished as second automatic qualifier in 1:58.56
The progression over the last 150 metres was almost as if the Potchestroom-based athlete wanted to pull others with her, and not surprisingly provided the two fastest losers, Kate Grace (USA) and Marina Arzamasova (BLR), with progression to the final
“That was ok, obviously the main thing was to get through to the final,” said Semenya, who now has two days recovery. “There are no strategies, I will just go with the flow, see how I feel in the race, and the pace was a bit quicker, I wasn't expecting that pace.”
“As I said I’m not going to focus on the world record. Remember I just ran my PB a month ago. The focus is to enjoy the championship and go back home with the gold medal. But that thing (the record) is still at the back of my mind so I’m just looking forward to a final, so I need to go back and check my videos so I can run a better race in the final.”
Semenya goes into Saturday’s final as favourite with a personal and seasons best of 1:55.33, with Francie Niyonsaba, who has a best of 1:56.24, her closest rival on paper.
Keeping in mind that Semenya decided not to contend the 400 or 1500m, but to focus on the 800m, there seems a good chance she could have the energy to make it a very special night to break the 33-year-old record.
Against that is her decision to keep a low profile, which has seen her walk through the media mixed zone without giving any interviews and perhaps she will opt to leave the record attempt to a quieter venue later in the year.
(File Photo: Gallo Images)
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre
“I was so close to the gold medal it was right there right until the very end, but to win a silver medal – I couldn't ask for more after London," said the Viljoen, who in 2012 had lost her medal in the final round of the competition. “London was never really on my mind, but my heart just began to pump, because gee whiz if I have to lose another medal in the last round. But luckily it never happened, and I was so happy with that.”
“I’ve been praying and dreaming about this for a whole four years, to become an Olympic champion, and to come so close. I tried and tried and I couldn't ask for more,” continued the 32-year-old, whose opener was close to her seasons best of 65.14m. “ I had hoped to throw longer in my first throw because I was throwing huge throws in the warm up because the competition takes so long, and you start to cool down as it goes. I think the hardest thing is staying focused for the whole time.”
Despite being relaxed and confident with her opening trial, South Africa’s ninth medal winner of the games did not look at all comfortable for her final throw. “You know I wanted that medal so much and I know I have a big throw in my arms, I think I just tried too hard,” stated the African champion.
Viljoen will take a couple of days off before going back to Europe for a couple of meetings including Lausanne and Brussels, and then get some rest. The long-term plan is to keep going as long as the Commonwealth Games in 2018 in Australia.
“I don't think people expected me to come back the way I did which makes me even prouder,” she concluded.
The women’s 800m semi-finals were interspersed between the javelin competition, with Caster Semenya receiving one of the larger welcomes into Rio’s Olympic for the third and last semi-final heat. The 25-year-old started in her now traditional fashion taking third place at 200m and dropped to fifth at the 400m which was passed in 57.65.
Semenya commenced her move with 280 metres to go, gradually increasing momentum and position to come off the bend in the lead. An easy acceleration to the 60m mark kept control of the race ahead of Scot Lynsey Sharp, to finish in 1:58.15, the fastest time of the day. Sharp finished as second automatic qualifier in 1:58.56
The progression over the last 150 metres was almost as if the Potchestroom-based athlete wanted to pull others with her, and not surprisingly provided the two fastest losers, Kate Grace (USA) and Marina Arzamasova (BLR), with progression to the final
“That was ok, obviously the main thing was to get through to the final,” said Semenya, who now has two days recovery. “There are no strategies, I will just go with the flow, see how I feel in the race, and the pace was a bit quicker, I wasn't expecting that pace.”
“As I said I’m not going to focus on the world record. Remember I just ran my PB a month ago. The focus is to enjoy the championship and go back home with the gold medal. But that thing (the record) is still at the back of my mind so I’m just looking forward to a final, so I need to go back and check my videos so I can run a better race in the final.”
Semenya goes into Saturday’s final as favourite with a personal and seasons best of 1:55.33, with Francie Niyonsaba, who has a best of 1:56.24, her closest rival on paper.
Keeping in mind that Semenya decided not to contend the 400 or 1500m, but to focus on the 800m, there seems a good chance she could have the energy to make it a very special night to break the 33-year-old record.
Against that is her decision to keep a low profile, which has seen her walk through the media mixed zone without giving any interviews and perhaps she will opt to leave the record attempt to a quieter venue later in the year.
(File Photo: Gallo Images)
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre