Ratcliffe hammers out big effort

Julia Ratcliffe showed how much she enjoyed being back on the international stage today by qualifying comfortably for the women’s hammer throw final.

Ratcliffe’s best throw in qualifying was 73.50m, which qualified her in 6th position among the 12 who went through to Tuesday’s final. Fellow New Zealander Lauren Bruce did not fare as well. Bruce’s best throw of 67.71m left her in 23rd position among the 30 starters.

Ratcliffe, 28, said she had a great time. “It was so much fun,” she said. “I haven’t competed internationally since 2019. It was so awesome to be in a massive stadium, even if there were no people there. The big stands give it atmosphere.”

She was pleased to get a good throw away with her first attempt. “Everyone is a bit nervous on that first throw. You need to clear the nerves. The two before me both fouled, so that added to the nerves. I was glad to get in a good instance and to know I’d be safe to go through to the final.

“It’s my biggest throw in an international by two or three metres and I definitely have more in me. I’m just going to chill now until the final.”

Ratcliffe said she had found it uplifting watching her New Zealand team-mates and being with them in the village. “Especially Twigger Digger (single sculler Emma Twigg), because we’ve been training alongside each other in the gym for the last year.”

Ratcliffe’s three throws today were 73.20m, 68.89m, 70.87. The leading qualifier was Pole Anita Wlodarczyk, with 76.99m.

Unfortunately Bruce, who came into the event ranked 14th in the world, was unable to find her best form and her throws of 67.71m, 66.01 and 66.15m were well below her personal best of 74.61m.