Discus Thrower Yaimé Pérez Wins in Her First International Competition of the Year

May 30, 2021

Although she did not achieve the best mark of the competition, Cuban Yaimé Pérez took advantage of her stability in the last two times stepping into the circle and dominated the discus throw during her first foray of the season in the Diamond League.

In a competition that rewarded athletes with the highest mark in the final round, the 2019 world champion returned to Doha accompanied by Denia Caballero to experience her reunion with international competition.

Yaimé secured first place in the event after achieving marks of 62.90 m and 61.35 m in her fifth and sixth attempts, when only three women remained in competition. Meanwhile, American Valarie Allman, until that moment leading the competition with 65.57 m, reached 64.53 m and 58.58 m and had to settle for second place.

Croatian Sandra Perkovic finished in third place, after marking 62.93 m in the penultimate round but sending the discus against the net in her last opportunity. Nonetheless, the current Olympic champion closed the day with a better mark of 63.60 m.

Before those rounds, Yaimé had a promising start and completed her first two attempts with respectable 63.10 m and 63.75 m, which would ultimately be her best throw of the day. She then committed two consecutive fouls. Precisely at that moment American Valarie Allman achieved the best throw of the day to take the lead in a competition that rewarded consistency more than a single result.

For a woman who this year ranks second in the world rankings and has a personal best of 68.99 m, the mark achieved in Doha is not sufficient if only looking at the numbers. However, in her first international competition after more than two years and on a path that has Tokyo as the main challenge, what was accomplished now is merely the beginning of a route that must be carefully planned so as not to rush the stages.

Meanwhile, Denia finished in a good fifth place after improving her season's best mark on two occasions. She opened with a poor 57.83 m, but soon began to show part of her quality. First she took the discus to 62.03 m, then surpassed herself again and marked exactly 63 meters.

Before this competition, the 2015 world champion had three outings at Panamericano Stadium, and in them her best performance was the 60.88m from last weekend.

Later, the fourth appearance of our athlete in the throwing circle ended with a foul, while in what would be her fifth and final attempt she lowered her performance to 59.30 m. With that sequence, the Cuban finished in fifth place, a performance that beyond that position leaves the satisfaction of seeing how Denia little by little approaches her best form.

Likewise, achieving her best throw of the year in the first international competition of the season for her announces a good feeling just under two months before the Olympic Games.

In other results of the day, American Rai Benjamin (47.38s) dominated a 400 meters with hurdles where Brazilian Alison dos Santos finished second with a South American record of 47.57s. For their part, Katie Nageotte (USA-4.84 m) and Sandi Morris (USA-4.84 m) tied the year's leading mark in the pole vault, Faith Kipyegon (KEN-1:58.26) won the 800 meters and her teammate Timothy Cheruiyot (3:30.48) did the same in the 1500.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan Yulimar Rojas said goodbye to Doha with other excellent marks of 15.15 m and 15.11 m. In the competition, Jamaican Shaniecka Ricketts likewise came close to the mythical barrier and closed with solid 14.98m.

After this first foray into the prestigious circuit, Yaimé and Denia are scheduled to compete on June 2 in the Gothenburg Grand Prix and on the 10th to arrive in Florence to compete again in the race for the diamond. In turn, this weekend Panamericano Stadium in Havana will host another test competition so that athletes like discus throwers Melany Matheus and Silinda Morales can seek their Olympic qualification.

For their part, this Saturday Cuba also expects the presence of heptathletes Adriana and Yorgelis Rodríguez in the prestigious Gotzis meet. That will be one of two opportunities for them to reach the complicated mark of 6420 points that grants direct passage to the Olympic Games. If they don't achieve it now or in an event scheduled for Panamericano Stadium in Havana at the end of June, they have the option of seeking a spot by ranking among unqualified athletes.

For now, Adriana ranks 22nd in a list that awards 24 places. Meanwhile, Yorgelis has no points and if she doesn't achieve the qualifying mark she will at least need to seek performances that bring her closer to the possibility of being in her second Olympic Games.