Latvian javelin thrower Elīza Ligere wins bronze at Youth Olympic Games in Dakar

Latvian javelin thrower Elīza Ligere won bronze at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, on Monday. Her best throw of 52.00 metres made her third in a field of nine.

One throw decided it

The competition did not start easily for Ligere. Her first attempt was ruled a no-throw, her second went only 42.99 metres, and after two rounds she was seventh. On her third attempt she sent the javelin 52 metres and climbed to third. She could not improve in her final three throws, but her rivals did not push her off the podium either, LSM, Latvia’s public broadcaster, reported.

Personal bests for the top two

Gold went to Colombia’s Ilsa Mayerlina Córdoba with 57.62 metres and silver to Uzbekistan’s Parizoda Talabova with 54.68 metres. Both set personal bests. Before the competition Ligere had the best personal record of the field — 55.87 metres — but by November the season is usually over for Latvian athletes, and producing top form at this time of year is difficult.

Latvia in Dakar

The fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar run until 13 November. Latvia is represented by 18 athletes in 12 sports and disciplines. Earlier in the athletics programme, sprinter Malnača finished fifth in the 100 metres.