Stable throwing – but no full hit.
Discus giant Daniel Ståhl has a bit to go to Olympic gold lengths.
In Karlstad's GP, he stopped at 66.81, over a meter behind European Champion Kristjan Ceh.
It has become a long way to the 70-meter mark for Daniel Ståhl.
With just over three weeks until the Olympic opening, the blue-yellow medal hope reached 66.81 meters as the longest in Karlstad's GP – and was beaten by European Championship gold medalist Kristjan Ceh from Slovenia (67.91).
Ståhl was satisfied anyway.
It felt good. The movements are getting better and better. I'm really on the go. A bit of bad luck with the weather, only, he says.
Yes, Sola arena really didn't live up to its name. The rain alternated between drizzling and pouring over Karlstad.
The rotation in the waterlogged ring was no problem. It was more difficult with the discus itself.
It takes just one or two drops for you to lose your grip, says Ståhl.
That it was a new loss to Kristjan Ceh, the fourth in a row, doesn't matter to the 31-year-old.
Not at all. It's at the Olympics that it counts, says the reigning champion.
Believes in Ståhl
Since 2019, when Ståhl set a Swedish record with 71.86, he has been over 70 meters every season – until this year. Ståhl threw 68.99 in this year's first competition in May, a length he hasn't surpassed since then.
The question is what will be required for an Olympic gold in Paris.
Definitely over 70 meters, says Kristjan Ceh.
Does he believe that Daniel Ståhl can reach that?
I do. He is really strong and has great experience.
One of the memories Ståhl packs in his Olympic bag is from the World Championship final in Budapest last year. Then he countered to gold in the last throw, when the discus landed at 71.46 meters.
It was an experience for the future. I'm trying to take as much as possible with me, says the Swede.
He believes in an exciting Olympics.
It's more open than ever. Twelve men have been over 68 meters. Anyone can win.
Final is the goal
In the shot put, Fanny Roos won the duel against Olympic colleague Axelina Johansson convincingly. Roos was alone over 18 meters, threw as far as 18.68, and thereby improved her own track record from last year.
A fun competition. The form is getting better and better, but I need a bit more pressure, says Roos.
In Paris, she wants to be there when the medals are distributed.
I'm focusing on myself, but the goal is the final.
