Thoughts of Jarmo Hirvonen¹, the coach of world champion Aki Parviainen, – a distinctive Finnish perspective
Men’s javelin throw qualification rounds went very well for Finnish throwers. The Saturday’s final is set up perfectly for Pitkamaki, Jarvenpaa and Wirkkala. Everyone has an excellent chance for medals. For a big surprise, some of the major candidates for the podium places as Sergey Mararov, Alexander Ivanov and Eriks Rags did not make the final, opening the possible victorious window for the Finnish javelin team.
The #1 favourite, Vadims Vasilevskis
There are four major champion candidates. The strongest choice to win is Vadims Vasilevskis. He is physically the most potential to throw over 90 metres. The next choice for the champion is Tero Jarvenpaa, although he has the least amount of competitive throws. Tero Jarvenpaa has thrown only twice in competition before Beijing Olympics during the last 1½ months. That might be his weakness and a possible reason for a failure.
#2 favourite to win, Tero Jarvenpaa
Torkildsen and Pitkämaki have a good chance of winning, although I do not believe in Torkildsen’s chance this time. His throw in qualification rounds looked very weak and powerless, unless he is giving us javelin fans a big and total theater act. Although Andreas’ victory chances enhance the fact that he has done this before and is used to win. Thorkildsen has three major javelin victories in the highest level.
The weakness of Pitkamaki is the fact that he has not been consistent, his average of ten best throws is 85 metres; Aki Parviainen’s top 10 throw mean before Sydney Olympics was over 90 metres, still placing only fifth.
Wirkkala’s qualification rounds showed possible potential, especially the run-up looked very strong. I believe that he has a chance to surprise the javelin fans with 84 metre throw, which would take him to the top six.
Men’s Javelin Olympic Final will be very interesting and I hope the finnish javelin team will excel and save the face and reputation of the Finnish track and field team, – once again.
ps. The world 4th ranked javelin thrower Antti Ruuskanen is watching the final at home. If he would have been in Beijing, I would have ranked him high to the podium in the final. Next training season he has to stay uninjured, because there will be four finnish javelin throwers in Berlin because of Pitkamaki’s world championship victory.
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¹Jarmo Hirvonen, track & field coach of Tanhuvaara Sports Institute, Savonlinna, Finland
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