Germany finished the year with three throwers ranked inside the top four on the 2016 world lists - and six inside the top-15 - and their stable of throwers are already showing excellent early season form.

Prior to the European Throwing Cup in Las Palmas, Johannes Vetter held the world-lead with 84.36m but he was supplanted at the top of the world lists on Saturday by teammate and fellow Olympic finalist Julian Weber, who went out to 85.85m to claim a commanding victory.

Weber was the only thrower to surpass the 80m line in the senior competition but Moldova’s Adrian Mardari made a breakthrough in the under-23 javelin, improving his national record from 78.48m to 82.34m.

German throwers were also favoured in the women’s javelin but the very experienced Martina Ratej from Slovenia had the beating of a strong field, going out to 60.66m to defeat Swiss-based Icelander Asdis Hjalmsdottir (59.20m) with Christin Hussong and world champion Katharina Molitor third and fifth respectively with 59.00m and 58.25m.

However, Olympic javelin champion Sara Kolak from Croatia had the best mark of the weekend, winning the under-23 javelin with 61.01m ahead of Turkey’s Eda Tugusz (60.98m). Kolak will be aiming for another senior title at the IAAF World Championships this August and she has already conf

source:European Athletics

Julian Weber