Spear-throwing girl Musai promises to return stronger

Africa Youth Games javelin champion Martha Musai headed for the just concluded World Under-20 Athletics Championship with the ambition of upgrading her continental gold to a podium on the world stage but her participation ended in tears. 

The 18-year old who knew she had it in herself to haul massive throws, however, faltered when it mattered for her lowest throw in any competition, only managing 45.13 m for last place in the field of 14. 

She had qualified for the championship with a 49.30 throw during the national trials, missing the automatic qualification mark of 50.50 but after a month in camp was confident of getting on the podium. 

"I had targeted a throw close to 60 or better and I knew I could. I knew such a throw would win me a medal but my body did not respond no matter how hard I tried. I was not under pressure. I knew I could match the best on that field. I am disappointed. That was not my level. I know I can do better and with each attempt I knew I could do it being an African champion and having prepared so well for this event," said Musai, fighting back tears after her event concluded.

Musai, then a Form Three student at Ngoleni High School in Machakos County, won the continental junior title in a national record of 54:12 metres during the Youth Games held in Algiers, Algeria in 2018.

Her best mark would have given her a top six placing during the U-20 Games with a slight improvement assuring her of a medal. The championship was won by Serbia’s Adriana Vilagos in a WU20 leading mark of 61.46. 

Elina Tzengko was second with 59.60 while Cuban Yiselena Ballar Rojas won bronze with a 55. 48 throw.

Heading to the championship, Tzengko of Greece was the favourite having thrown 63.96m in August 2020, a mark which beat the world U-20 record of 63.86m, and although it could not be ratified as an official record. She also had a season best of 61.42m and threw 61.18m to win the European U-20 title.

The eventual winner 17-year-old Vilagos upgraded her silver mark of 60.44m at the European U-20 to gold 

The championships was Rojas’ first ever competition outside of Cuba, and the 18-year-old had managed some massive throws this season, a 60.84m in May and a throw of 60.73m in June in Havana to back her as one of the favourites. 

"This was meant to be my springboard for greater things. I had purposed to have this as my last junior championship. I had made up my mind to move to the senior category and that is not stopping. I have to go to the basics now, work on my technique and skills and come back for competition next year better. I will be up against other good throwers in the senior level and I have to be at my best.

Training equipment have always been a problem but now I believe we are well equipped. Others have made it under such conditions so I will keep putting in the work. I know I will unleash my full potential soon," she added.