1 - Heidler Smashes The World Record (and Nearly Breaks 80 Meters)

Since the women's hammer throw debuted as an Olympic event in 2000, hammer throwers worldwide have been debating when the first woman will break 80 meters in the hammer throw. The world record was already at 76 meters and that led my first mentor, Harold Connolly, to think it would happen before 2004. Bondarchuk also thought it would happen sooner. Now, in 2011, Betty Heidler came painfully close to the barrier at Halle. This was hands down the top hammer throwing moment of 2011. Halle offers a unique atmosphere with thousands of fans showing up to just watch the throwing events. The environment produced magic once again as Heidler crushed the old world record and was less than two feet off the world record. Heidler continued her season with five more meets over 77 meters. At this level of consistency I think it is only a matter of time before one throw lands over the line.

My criteria is subjective, so let the debate begin. Feel free to post your own thoughts in the comment section below. If you want some stats for the season, check out the IAAF's performance lists.

1. Krisztian Pars (HUN). Pars had a nearly perfect season. He had the best mark of the year at 81.89m. He broke 80 meters more than any other thrower. He won 20 of his 24 competitions and never placed lower than third. He won the more World Hammer Challenge competitions than anyone and walked away with the title. But there is a reason it was only "nearly" perfect. To be perfect he would have also needed a win at the World Championships. In a thrilling competition he took the silver as his final attempt just two inches away from the gold. But his overall resume was so strong I feel he had the best overall season.

Stat man Ian Tempest gave a wonderful presentation at last weekend's UK hammer workshop illustrating this and many other interesting stats from the past few decades of hammer throwing. While the women's sport is still new and growing very fast, I found the statistics on the men's hammer to be the most interesting. As I mentioned above, the 12th and last qualifier for the finals at the 1986 European Championships threw 75.46m. The last qualifier this year at the World Championships threw 75.36m. Twenty-five years but little has changed in this regard. The strongest decade was actually the 2000s, with over 77 meters required to make the finals at the 2002 European Championships. The graph above shows how the level as changed slightly since the 1980s.

After nearly a year away from coach Bondarchuk, I needed to touch base with him. We talk or exchange emails every week, but that isn't the same as getting in person feedback from him. The feedback is something he also needs, since it is also difficult for him to determine my progress without observing me first hand.