Sunnette Viljoen survived a tense battle in the women’s javelin to claim a third medal for South Africa in the final session of the world championships last night.
With the final throw of the competition, German Kathrina Molitor unleashed a 67.69m world lead to steal the gold from China’s Huihui Lyu, and push Viljoen into the bronze position.
But for a while Viljoen had held pole position, after launching her missile 65.79m on her fourth attempt.
Then Lyu sailed to a 66.13m Asian record in the fifth round, before Molitor delivered that final blow which also displaced Viljoen as world leader.
“I smelled that gold, but that’s okay, I’m happy. It was so close,” said a beaming Viljoen, also the bronze medallist at the 2011 edition.
“At one stage I thought that would be enough but then the Chinese girl came. I think the crowd really helped her. They lifted her totally,” she said, referring to the ear-splitting cheers of the partisan fans in the Bird’s Nest stadium.
Viljoen’s medal ensured SA ended 13th on the table, topped by Kenya with seven gold and six silver, ahead of Jamaica with seven gold and two silver.
The US won 18 medals, more than any other nation, but had to settle for third spot with six gold.
Viljoen’s medal-winning throw came after she was forced to abort during the count-down to her run-up because of a stream of women’s 5000m runners who trickled around the lap in front of her.
But the mother-of-one, who wasn’t in podium position at that stage, said the delay benefited her.
“I think that’s God’s way of just calming you down a bit, to get your thoughts intact, to relax a bit, to think about what you want to do, and not rush your throw…
“I just told myself to stay closed because I opened up too early in some of my throws so I just thought about cool and calm and then that throw came.”
The bronze last night firmly re-established Viljoen as a world force this season after a gut-wrenching fourth place at the 2012 London Olympics and a disappointing 2013.
Viljoen, whose resurgence started last year after publicly declaring she was gay, paid tribute to her partner for strengthening her mentally.
“LiMari also helped me a lot. She knows me inside out and she knows exactly what to say and when to say it, how to handle and how to see situations.
“She’s literally my psychologist because the way she sees things and the way we’ve been going together as a couple, it really means the world to me that she’s able to be here tonight to see how I performed.”
Viljoen said she was chuffed with her season.
“It is sad to see your world lead go … but it’s okay, I’m still second in the world.
“I’m very proud of the way I performed in the world this year. I was very consistent, in every meeting. I finished top three in every Diamond League I competed in.”
Viljoen was confident that she could handle the pressures of expectation that are likely to come in the build-up to the 2016 Olympics.
“By the time Rio comes I will have all the experience and everything in the world that I can ask for.”
q
Viljoen bags bronze for SA
With the final throw of the competition, German Kathrina Molitor unleashed a 67.69m world lead to steal the gold from China’s Huihui Lyu, and push Viljoen into the bronze position.
But for a while Viljoen had held pole position, after launching her missile 65.79m on her fourth attempt.
Then Lyu sailed to a 66.13m Asian record in the fifth round, before Molitor delivered that final blow which also displaced Viljoen as world leader.
“I smelled that gold, but that’s okay, I’m happy. It was so close,” said a beaming Viljoen, also the bronze medallist at the 2011 edition.
“At one stage I thought that would be enough but then the Chinese girl came. I think the crowd really helped her. They lifted her totally,” she said, referring to the ear-splitting cheers of the partisan fans in the Bird’s Nest stadium.
Viljoen’s medal ensured SA ended 13th on the table, topped by Kenya with seven gold and six silver, ahead of Jamaica with seven gold and two silver.
The US won 18 medals, more than any other nation, but had to settle for third spot with six gold.
Viljoen’s medal-winning throw came after she was forced to abort during the count-down to her run-up because of a stream of women’s 5000m runners who trickled around the lap in front of her.
But the mother-of-one, who wasn’t in podium position at that stage, said the delay benefited her.
“I think that’s God’s way of just calming you down a bit, to get your thoughts intact, to relax a bit, to think about what you want to do, and not rush your throw…
“I just told myself to stay closed because I opened up too early in some of my throws so I just thought about cool and calm and then that throw came.”
The bronze last night firmly re-established Viljoen as a world force this season after a gut-wrenching fourth place at the 2012 London Olympics and a disappointing 2013.
Viljoen, whose resurgence started last year after publicly declaring she was gay, paid tribute to her partner for strengthening her mentally.
“LiMari also helped me a lot. She knows me inside out and she knows exactly what to say and when to say it, how to handle and how to see situations.
“She’s literally my psychologist because the way she sees things and the way we’ve been going together as a couple, it really means the world to me that she’s able to be here tonight to see how I performed.”
Viljoen said she was chuffed with her season.
“It is sad to see your world lead go … but it’s okay, I’m still second in the world.
“I’m very proud of the way I performed in the world this year. I was very consistent, in every meeting. I finished top three in every Diamond League I competed in.”
Viljoen was confident that she could handle the pressures of expectation that are likely to come in the build-up to the 2016 Olympics.
“By the time Rio comes I will have all the experience and everything in the world that I can ask for.”
q
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos