7. Hammer Throw

Event: Women's Hammer Throw
Date: 29th November 2012
Location: Southend Athletics Club, Garons Park, Southend.
Cost: Free
Rules: The Hammer is a three part device that includes a metal ball attached to a steel wire with a grip or handle at the end. The Hammer is the only throwing competition in which throwers may wear gloves. Women throw a 4kg ball with a diameter of 95-100mm's. The Hammer is thrown from inside a circle which lies within an enclosure. As in all throwing events, the twelve finalists have three attempts apiece. The longest single throw during the final wins.

The Event:

   

Distance:

Olympic Gold Medal London 2012: 78.18m, Tatyana Lysenko, Russia.

Ellie: 1. 9.46m, 2. 10.56m, 3. 11.81m (PB)

Sarah: 1. 9.44m, 2. 9.50m (PB), 3. 8.58m
  

Comments:  

Sarah: Hammer was initially fairly terrifying; it took a little while to get the hang of swinging the hammer round the head, and figuring out when to let go. Our coach Sam gave us lots of tips, and put our efforts to shame when he showed us at the end just how far it is possible to throw it. 

Ellie: Why? Why are people like us allowed to throw the Hammer? It's clearly very dangerous. And heavy. The phrase 'with great power comes great responsibility' has never rung truer and I spent a lot of time between throws feeling very worried. Thankfully we had experts on hand and the assistance of Toby, a Southend Athletics Club youngster, to collect the measurements and the Hammer which gave us time to summon our courage for the next throw.