Viljoen qualifies for Beijing
2008-02-26 22:29
Potchefstroom - Commonwealth Games javelin champion Sunette Viljoen, 24, has caused a major upset at a special meeting for throwers on Tuesday when she won the women's event with an excellent 62.24m, which qualified her for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
She is the ninth SA athlete to do so.
Some of the world's best javelin throwers, including the Olympic champion, Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway, were among the enthusiastic spectators at the event.
Viljoen defeated the SA record holder and her training partner, Justine Robbeson, who set a new SA and African record of 63.49m ten days ago - also on her way to Beijing - and who finished second with a distance of 59.95m.
A visitor to Potchefstroom, Monica Avaa of Estonia clinched third spot with a fine 56.90m, followed by another visitor,
Elisabeth Pauer of Austria who recorded 56.23m.
- SAPA