Rutger Smith Throws A New Lifetime Best In Discus

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Rutger Smith, of Netherlands, threw a new lifetime best 67.77 in Weert, a small city in south of Netherlands.

Weather conditions in general did not favor the meet as there was raining while the wind was good though.

Smith´s previous lifetime best was 67.63 since 2007, this year he had thrown 65.60m. He  competed at the World Championships in Daegu, unluckily, he finished 16th with 62.12m. “I was in 65-66m shape, to throw that distance in a stadium. My own fault that I did not make into the final.”

Today he was just 35cm shorter than Netherlands discus record, set in 1991 by Erik de Bruin (68.12). His fellow competitor Erik Cadee set his lifetime best 66.95 earlier this year which held Smith ranked #2 in Netherlands for whole season. Today Smith took over the leading.

Rutger Smith was wrote off from sports as he was injured and performed under expectations in Beijing Olympics (2008). He missed 2009 and 2010 mostly for rehab. This year he finally got back on feet and has showed World class performances in Discus.

“My health is okay but can be better. I had many injuries this year. However, I came back from two and a half year of no competitions and training at all so there is a lot more in me.  I have to stay healthy this winter, then I can throw really far next year.” Smith said.

He has set high goals for the next season in assumption that he stays away from injuries that ruined two and a half years of throwing. “My goals for next year are to throw 70 meters in Discus and 22m in Shot Put, so I will do both,” he momentarily destroyed all rumors that talk about his quitting from shot put.

“I have changed my technique  this year. Especially the start where I´m trying to have a longer orbit,” he reveled another reason for his good Discus result.

“My series was: 65.13 – 67.77 – 62.86 – X – 60.51 – X. It rained so hard, the first two attempts were okay, rainy, but not that hard. but after the 67.77m it was ridiculous how the weather was. Wind was good though!”

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