Athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Women's hammer throw

Anita Włodarczyk, the reigning World Champion and European Champion, was one of the stand-out gold medal favourites in the Olympic athletics programme, given that she held all ten of the best throws that year and a season's best of 80.26 m – the third best ever. At the 2012 Olympic Games she had been runner-up to Tatyana Lysenko, who faced a lifetime ban for doping. The next best thrower that season was almost five metres behind on the rankings: Betty Heidler was the European runner-up. China's Zhang Wenxiu and Wang Zheng were the next highest ranked.[2][3][4]

Włodarczyk continued her unbeaten streak since 2014 to top qualifying in 76.93 m. Zhang was second best in the round and Rosa Rodríguez of Venezuela was a surprise third automatic qualifier. The top ranked athletes progressed, though non threw beyond 72 metres. Hanna Skydan of Azerbaijan and American Gwen Berry were the most significant of the eliminated athletes.[5]

In the final, Włodarczyk assumed the lead with her first throw of 76.35 m, ahead of Zhang's 75.06 m and Heidler holding bronze position with 71.38 m. The second round saw Sophie Hitchon move into bronze position with a 73.29 m. On the next throw, Włodarczyk improved her position with an 80.40 m, that nobody would match. In the third round Zhang improved and so did Włodarczyk in a big way. Her third throw was 82.29 m (269 ft 11 in) a new world record. Her mark improved upon her own previous world record by 1.21 m and was 2.87 m (over 9 feet) further than any other woman (Heidler) has ever thrown. It was Włodarczyk's sixth world record and the fourth in succession since August 2014. In the fourth round Zalina Marghieva moved into bronze position with her best throw of 73.50 m. The fifth round saw Heidler edge back into bronze position with a 73.71 m, then Zhang solidified her silver position with her best throw of 76.75 m and Włodarczyk threw 81.74 m, only the second best throw in history to her third round throw. On her final throw, Hitchon leapfrogged back into the bronze medal with a 74.54 m British National Record.[6]

The medals were presented by Irena Szewińska, IOC member, Poland and Svein Arne Hansen, Council Member of the IAAF.

Two weeks after the Olympics, Włodarczyk improved the world record again out to 82.98 m (272 ft 2 in).

All times are Brasília Time (UTC−3).

Prior to the competition, the existing World and Olympic records were as follows.

World record	Anita Wlodarczyk (POL)	81.08 m	Władysławowo, Poland	1 August 2015
Olympic record	Anita Wlodarczyk (POL)	77.60 m	London, United Kingdom	11 August 2012
2016 World leading	Anita Wlodarczyk (POL)	80.26 m	Cetniewo, Poland	12 July 2016

The following records were established during the competition:

Date	Event	Name	Nationality	Distance	Record
16 August	Final	Anita Włodarczyk	Poland	80.40 m	OR
16 August	Final	Anita Włodarczyk	Poland	82.29 m	WR

The following national records were established during the competition:

Country	Athlete	Round	Distance	Notes
Poland	Anita Włodarczyk (POL)	Final	82.29 m	WR, OR, AR
Great Britain	Sophie Hitchon (GBR)	Final	74.54 m

• Rio Replay: Women's Hammer Final on YouTube