Last year's Olympic silver medalist Simon Pettersson has had a significantly tougher 2022 than 2021. In the WC he finished fifth, and he has not reached a single podium so far in this year's Diamond League season.
But today, at the SM in Norrköping, he suddenly showed great form.
In the first round, he struck with a huge throw that measured 69.84 – 36 centimeters better than his previous personal best from a competition in Växjö last season.
"Found the shape"
In addition to a personal record, the throw also meant a SC record, twelve centimeters longer than arch-rival Daniel Ståhl was noted for in Eskilstuna 2018.
- He has found his form now in the latter part of the season, states SVT Sports Alhaji Jeng.
Ståhl took back the record
But Ståhl, who narrowly missed the podium at the WC in Eugene, responded.
In the fifth round, he hit with 70.29 – and thus took over the lead and the SM record.
But just a minute later, it was time for Pettersson to again become the one who threw the longest in the SM record.
He struck with a throw that measured a whopping 70.42 – Pettersson's first 70-meter throw.
- What level of form he is showing, Simon Pettersson, exclaimed Alhaji Jeng.
Pettersson celebrated by bowing on the infield, before jumping over the fence and hugging his coach Vésteinn Hafsteinsson, while Ståhl applauded his competitor.
The competition is ongoing