Maddi Wesche won silver in an enthralling shot put competition today.
The 25-year-old Aucklander battled with German Yemisi Ogunleye throughout the event and both throwers held the lead twice. Unfortunately for Wesche, it was the German who held it at the end.
The New Zealander took the lead with her second round throw of 19.58m and that held up until Ogunleye’s fifth throw, which was 19.73m.
Undaunted, Wesche responded wonderfully and uncorked a 19.68m effort, her personal best.
That looked like the gold medal throw as shot putter after shot putter fell short in the last round.
Finally there were only two of them left and the German unleashed an effort of precisely 20 metres. Wesche applauded the German and smiled.
She made a bold attempt on her final throw but her 19.68m wasn’t enough and she had to settle for the silver medal, still a fantastic achievement. The bronze medal went to Jiayuan Song of China with 19.32m.
Wesche was sixth in the final in Tokyo three years ago. But she’s matured a lot as a competitor since then.
Wesche was very upbeat afterwards.
She admitted she’d had “a little bit of butterflies” before her final throw, but said she had enjoyed the whole competition and was proud to be sharing the stage with such great shot putters.
“I knew I was capable of a 20-metre throw there, but it just didn’t happen today. Getting the silver medal is huge and I’m super happy.”
Asked about her support for Ogunleye and others, Wesche said she cheered for all the throwers. “I support them all to do their best. If they do their best and I can still win, what does that say?”
She said she wasn’t too concerned about the wet circle in the early rounds. “I’m from Auckland. I’m used to throwing with a wet circle.”