Olympic champion Wlodarczyk arrives for Kipkeino classic
By Amos.Abuga, May 5, 2022
Three-time Olympic hammer throw champion Anita Włodarczyk is ready to have a go at the third edition of the Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour Gold meeting set for Saturday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi.
The Polish international who made a low key arrival in the country on Tuesday evening will headline the women’s hammer throw event that will get underway at 2.20pm on the action day.
“It is special for me to be in Nairobi not as a tourist or on holiday, but to compete in an event I love,” remarked Włodarczyk.
“I know Kenyans have made a name and are known as extremely top middle and long distance champions, my appearance here should motivate athletes and women in particular to take field competitions seriously,” added Włodarczyk, the only woman to win three consecutive Olympic titles. The 36-year-old holds the women’s world record in the event, a feat she achieved at Rio 2016 when she threw a monstrous 82.98m.
The Pole is also a four-time world champion (2009, 2013, 2015 and 2017) and four-time European champion (2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018).
She joins her compatriot and fellow Olympic champion in the men’s category – Wojciech Nowicki on the confirmation list. The duo are expected in the country on Thursday.
She will be making a return to Kenya after competing in last year’s event where he ranked second with a throw of 77.99m.
The men’s event will be a battle of Olympic podium finishers that will see Nowicki face off with Eivind Henriksen (silver medallist) and Paweł Fajdek (bronze medallist) who reigned supreme in last year’s event.