Simon Pettersson World Cup Ready After Long Throw: "Extremely Great"

It was during a competition in Växjö that 25-year-old Simon Pettersson struck with his longest throw in his career. 66.39 is an increase of his personal best by over half a meter, and a nice form message for the World Cup which starts in two weeks.

- Yes indeed. It really feels great that I'm heading in the right direction. It's been a very naughty season, a frustrating season, Pettersson tells SVT Sport.

- It felt like I was standing and stomping. The physical form has been good but I haven't got it together technically. So two and a half weeks ago, Vesteinn (Hafsteinsson, coach) decided that I would go back to how I did last year, and right as it was, it started to work. It feels extremely nice now that the World Cup is approaching.

The Doha World Cup begins on Friday, September 27, and the day after, in exactly two weeks, it's time for the men's discus selection. Two years ago, Simon Pettersson surprised big by reaching the final.

The goal is the same this year. But before the World Cup, a publisher is waiting in Rome before flying to Doha on September 26.

- The first goal is always to reach the final. There is always someone who falls and someone who surprises, so this is definitely the first goal and the one I focus on.

Do you feel you are where you want to be?

- Yes, much closer than I was a month ago anyway. It feels great to have ten days in Rome too, some environmental change and warmer weather. The body usually feels a little better then.

Say discus and most Swedes think of Daniel Ståhl, the world's best discus thrower this year with his monster throw of 71.86 from last summer. But Simon Pettersson sees the most benefits of standing in the shadow of the giant Ståhl.

- He really gets what he deserves. It's extremely fun and I really just think it's good for Swedish discus to have one like him. I think he makes it easier for everyone so it's just grateful.

He pulls out the disc in the spotlight?

- Yes indeed. And it is easier to develop yourself even when you see the lengths he throws. My throw yesterday he makes pretty easy each workout, so it makes it a little easier to get less respect for those lengths.