World Junior Champion Konopka shows steady potential
Alfons Juck for the IAAF

28 May 2001 – Nove Zamky, Slovakia – The 1998 World Junior shot put champion Mikulas Konopka (Slovakia) is steadily improving. This Sunday, at a meeting in Nove Zamky (south-west Slovakia) on his first attempt he shot put over 20 metres, soaring over his previous best of 19.94m set in May 2000. Exactly 20.12m. And that was just the beginning. His second throw was even better - 20.42m for the 1999 U23 European Champion and IAAF Grand Prix finalist in 2000.

The latter was an historic mark, a new Slovak record. The previous national best had stood at 20.39m since 2 June 1987, almost 14 years. Worthy of note is the fact that the formed record holder is none other than Konopkas’ coach Karel Sula.

For the next two throws Konopkas was not concentrating, and both attempts were invalid.  For his 5^th attempt he was back on track with another throw over 20 metres, but it fell outside the area.

He saved his best for last: 20.54m for a second national record and European U23 record and qualifying for Edmonton in the process.