Confident O’Keeffe takes just one throw to reach hammer final

EILEEN O’KEEFFE had only to make a very brief visit to the circle to qualify for tomorrow’s final of the women’s hammer at the world championships in Osaka.

The qualifying mark was set at 71 metres and she beat that with an opening throw of 71.07m to become one of the five out of an entry of 40 to achieve the actual standard.

“I just can’t believe it, especially when the 2000 Olympic champion throws an opening throw of 66m and is left struggling to get the big throw out early. It is definitely a boost to my confidence going into the final,” she said.

“My aim was to throw 71m in my first throw. That was my plan all along. Then when I did it I just could not believe it.”

She admitted that her brilliant series of throws in excess of 70m at the national championships, coupled with her silver medal at the World Universities Games, had given her a new confidence in her ability to compete with the world class throwers here.

“Throwing over 70m has given me such confidence. Once you throw over 70m you know you can be there or thereabouts in any major championships, especially in the final, when there will be more pressure on the bigger girls who are medallists,” she said.

She took one practice throw before going into competition yesterday and when it landed around 68m away you could see the delight.

“I knew with the practice throw it felt free and light — just like the national championships — so I knew straight away there was a big one there,” she said.

“I am just so happy to be in the final. I will definitely give it my all. If I can get up close to my 73m I will be delighted — see if I can get into the top eight, get another three throws and take it from there.”

She is under no illusions about how difficult it will be to win a medal.

“To get a medal I would say 76 metres will take first place and after that who knows what will happen in a championships,” she said.

“I am in the final now and that was my predominant goal for this year. The fact that I have done the qualifying standard with my first throw is very encouraging and good for my confidence.

“At nationals I opened with 70m but previous to this I would open most of my competitions with 67 or 68m so to open with a 71m throw is encouraging and you don’t know what else is out there with another couple of throws.”