Steven Richter of Germany came into Birmingham's European Championships as the best thrower in Europe across the whole season, but was left bitterly disappointed.
The men's discus throw qualification served up some drama at the
Athletics European Championships, as the man with the best result in Europe across the whole season was left out of the final.
Steven Richter of Germany had thrown a monumental effort in April, but that heave of 74.00m didn't help him on Tuesday morning in Birmingham. The German struggled to find his footing, with only a distance of 62,19m required to reach the final.
Richter launched the discus to 62,02m with his first attempt, but failed to register a result with his following two attempts. The length required for automatic qualification was 66 meters, and many athletes struggled in the windy conditions with only WR holder
Mykolas Alekna and Slovenian
Kristjan Ceh reaching over it.
Although Richter hasn't been close to his 74 meter heroics in Oklahoma since April, he did clear 68 meters just a week ago at the German Championships in Dresden.
Lawrence Okoye of Team GB also suffered in Birmingham, but slightly differently. The Brit who's 4th in the European standings for the season had to pull out of the event entirely due to injury.
The final of the men's discus will take place on Thursday evening at 20:45 UK time.
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