Spotakova wins world javelin title, Turkish athlete improves

LONDON

AP photo

Czech Barbora Spotakova added a second world javelin gold to her trophy cabinet on Aug. 8 in London, while young Turkish athlete Eda Tuğsuz, who raced in the seniors category for the first time, ranked fifth in a tight race. 

Spotakova, the 36-year-old two-time Olympic champion who also has a world gold from 2007 and two previous world silvers to her name, threw a best of 66.76 meters.

“At this stadium, I am unbeatable. There must be something in the air about London,” said Spotakova, whose second Olympic crown came in the same stadium. 

“I cannot explain it but when I enter this stadium, I always feel so calm and relaxed. I believed I could really win it today, I was so focused and confident,” she added. 

Lingwei Li of China claimed silver with 66.25m, with team-mate Huihui Lyu taking bronze (65.26) 

Olympic champion Sara Kolak (64.95) and Tuğsuz (64.52) followed the first three. 

Tuğsuz, 20, made the final with a throw of 63.87 meters in the qualifications on Aug. 6, beating the mark of 63.50 meters for automatic qualification.

Seven women threw beyond the 63.50m automatic qualifying threshold, with two reaching beyond 65 meters.