Foto: Kenny Bednarek

The 400 m will be at this years 58th Ostrava Golden Spike (IAAF World Challenge) on June 20 a top highlight and staged as Istvan Gyulai Memorial race. Norwegian hurdles World champion Karsten Warholm will have the rare opportunity to try for a fast time on the flat distance. But he will have it tough with Bahamian record holder Steven Gardiner, who already 3 times went sub 44 and his top mark is 43.87. Interesting to see JUCO sensation Kenny Bednarek of the USA in his first professional race after he achieved a rare sub 20 and sub 45 at JUCO Championships in May including windy 19.49 in the 200 m heats. Fortuh top name is Botswana´s London fourth placer Baboloki Thebe with 44.02 life-time best and recent Odlozil Memorial win in Prague.

De Grasse for Ostrava 100 m

Canadian sprinting star Andre De Grasse is confirmed for 58th Ostrava Golden Spike 100 m (IAAF World Challenge) on June 20. In the loaded field already before announced other sub 10 sprinters: Ronnie Baker in season debut, Su Bingtian, Jimmy Vicaut, Akani Simbine and Jak Ali Harvey. Women 1500 m will have World leader Gudaf Tsegay returning for third time after two wins here in 2017 and 2018 with the aim to attack the four minutes barrier. Women´s hammer also current World leader Gwen Berry and in-shape Chinese Zheng Wang. In women javelin the return of Olympic winner 2016 Sara Kolak from Croatia is expected. She will have her first competition since autumn 2017 after 2018 was missed due to elbow and shoulder surgery.

Wlodarczyk for 11th time in Ostrava

Hammer throw will be for first time held at Golden Spike meet in the main stadium and during the main day on June 20 (IAAF Hammer Challenge). The tradition of hammer throwing started here in 2006 but the event was always held the day before at the warm-up track. World record holder Anita Wlodarczyk is looking forward to this innovation in the 11th appearance at the meet (6 wins, 4 losses). She will face other two medalists from Berlin European championships Alexandra Tavernier and Joanna Fiodorow, also US World leader Gwen Berry. In the men´s 800 m an interesting duel is expected. Six times European champion Adam Kszczot from nearby Poland will face 1500 m World indoor record holder Samuel Tefera from Ethiopia who will debut at the distance. Men´s 100 m field was added by European record holder Jimmy Vicaut and Turkish record holder Jak Ali Harvey. Already earlier announced were US Ronnie Baker and Asian record holder Su Bingtian.