There will be a significant local interest among athletics enthusiasts in the women’s hammer with local athlete and European championship finalist in Rome, Nicola Tuthill from Bandon, in the field. Nicola has thrown 70.32 already this year

 

The standard of this event has been hugely enhanced with the participation of the World Champion from 2022 and current world ranked number three Brooke Anderson USA. Anderson who is an 80m + thrower and has the Olympic Qualification Standard suffered an unprecedented misfortune at the US Olympic trials by fouling all three of her initial throws which excludes her from competing for the Olympic Gold medal. In the American system only the first three at the US Olympic Trials get to go to the Olympics no matter what their world ranking is.This cruel twist of fate will allow spectators at MTU Stadium to witness a rare spectacle of a thrower at the peak of her form. Surely the meet record of 71.19m is under threat.

 

World ranked number thirteen, Jill Shippee USA , will most certainly feature in this event and should expect a podium finish if she performs to her best. Jill has thrown a fraction under 75m in 2023 and 71.79 just a few weeks ago.

 

Others in the field include Oceania Champion and record holder, Lauren Bruce NZL and top British throwers Jessica Mayho and Katie Head along with Michelle Döpke GER who is on the cusp of throwing 70m.