For the second time this year Thiam competed in the AG Urban Memorial Van Damme Series. In the opening event at St Lambert Square in Liège Thiam finished second in the High Jump. A few weeks later she took impressive victory in the famous Götzis Heptathlon. She the jumped 6.56m, just 2 cm short of her personal best that she set at the Rio Olympics.
At Groenplaats Thiam opened her competition wwith a 6.29m try, followed by 6.26m. In her fourth attempt Thiam had a classy jump of 6.49m. All her other attempts were fouls. This meant a successful comeback for Thiam after she suffered from a slight knee injury that prevented her from competing at the national championships. Next month Thiam will be aiming to become the World Heptathlon Champion for the first time in her career.
ONLY 3 CM DECIDE BETWEEN 1st AND 3rd PLACE
Thiam only jumped 3 cm short of winning in Antwerp. Lauma Griva from Latvia was the best with 6.52m and had jumps of 6.48m, 6.45m and 6.44m that illustrate how consistent she jumped. Erica Bougard, a USA heptahlete came in second with 6.50m.
PARALYMPIC JUMPERS
The crowd also applauded local Livia De Clercq. The 35 year old was 9th at the Rio Paralympics and jumped to 3.29m, just 12cm below het PB. In the men’s Paralympic event David Delespesse (4.52m) and Ruben Persoons (4.79m) showed their abilities.
NOLF TAKES THE MEN’S EVENT
Cedric Nolf won the Men’s event with a 7.66m jump. The local decathlete was followed by Matthias Broothaerts (7.53m) and junior Michael Obayudi (7.29m). In the U18 competition Daniel Segers was the best with 7.24m, ahead of Jaan Bal (6m83) and Yente Vandersteen (6m81).
KIDS LEARN FROM OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS
Olympic Champions Kim Gevaert and Tia Hellebaut lead a Kids Athletics event with coaches from the local track and field clubs. Joining the sessions was free and participating children received a certificate.
ON THE ROAD TO BRUSSELS !
The AG Urban Memorial Series continues on Saturday August, 26th in Brussels with 100m Men and Women with Anne Zagré. The Diamond Race Final of the Men’s Shot Put will be held in the city center of Brussels, on Thursday August, 31st. On Friday Sep. 1st 15 more finals will take place in the King Baudouin Stadium at the AG Memorial Van Damme.
AG SPRINT EXPERIENCE
Spectators in Antwerp and in the other hosting cities of the AG Urban Memorial Series were invited to participate in the AG Sprint Experience, a 50m race on a regular sprint track. The 9 fastest men and women will compete on Friday, Sep, 1st in the pre program of the Memorial in front of 40.000 spectators to decide who will become the fastest man or women for one day.
