The spectators enjoyed the first day of the South American Athletics Championships as the host nation Argentina secured historic titles. The most outstanding competition was men's hammer throw, where three men surpassed the championship record in the Estadio Justo Roman in Mar del Plata, the city hosting the event for almost 30 years.
Argentinian Joaquin Gomez has just completed his title box set at the area level while securing his first senior title after his previous U18, U20 and U23 crowns. Gomez arrived at the final as national champion and fresh Argentinian record holder with 77.10m earlier this month. The record holder was challenged by two strong Chilean rivals (also winners of the last three editions), Gabriel Kehr and Humberto Mansilla, ahead of his compatriots. The competition saw three championship records in half an hour. First, Gabriel Kehr established two marks beyond the previous championship record with 76.90 and 76.69 metres. After two fouls in the opening sequence, Gomez made a brilliant attempt in the fourth when he released the 7.26kg ball close to the 78-metre mark, which measured 77.69 metres, a new Argentinian and championship record. Even Kehr and Mansilla produced two more 76+ efforts in the final but failed to catch in-form Argentinian.
BROKEN SEVEN TIMES!
With seven throws over the previous CR mark, Joaquin Gomez joined a strong Argentinian contingent in the event's history, including his father (and coach) Daniel, who won the title in 1977 and 1985. Argentina once built an epic winning series between 1985 and 2011 but failed to win since then. The Argentinians now secured 29 hammer throw gold medals in 54 championships since 1919.
Joaquin Gomez also became the first hammer thrower to clinch every South American title. He started his journey to winning the U18 title in 2012, then claimed U20 and U23 victories in subsequent years. He won South American Games crown as well.
