Sebrle '20cm from death'

[EPelle]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/ ... 01/1/.html

"If the javelin had hit me 10cm to the left, it would have punctured my lung, 20cm higher the throat, which would have been the worst case scenario," said Sebrele, also the world record holder, on his internet site.

"Just 1cm higher and it would have hit bone, muscle and tendon and that would have been the end of my sporting career.

"I was diagonally crossing the field, totally focused on my own training. I had completely forgotten that the javelin throwers were training at the other end.

"Suddenly there were screams. Before I could react, I was hit. I looked at my shoulder and saw a javelin stuck in it. I was in shock."

[carfu]

South Africa's hammer thrower Chris Harmse was also hit by a javelin less than two weeks ago.

http://www.superathletics.co.za/default.asp?id=201306&des=article&scat=superathletics/satrackandfield

[IFK_Vaxjo]

He was in Potchefstroom i read, I was there earlier this year and being hit by a javelin is quite likely (!) a mecca for JT:ers there. And soon a nordic brigade will enter with Thorkildsen and Arvidsson among others...

[Daisy]

Re: Sebrle '20cm from death'

Mind blowing that you can practice javelin at the track when others are training at the same time.

Possibly even more amazing:
"We will continue to prepare for the European indoors (from March 2-4 in Birmingham, England),"

[mike renfro]

Re: Sebrle '20cm from death'

Mind blowing that you can practice javelin at the track when others are training at the same time.

Even more mindblowing, people who should know better continue to have walkabouts on the field during competition and training. Most throwing disasters are due to clueless "civilians".

[26mi235]

When I was in HS we did not throw anything far (i.e., we only had the shot, no DT or JT). As a result i was not used to the dangers of going across the field. In grad school when I was at the Pomona track with the distance runners (400s maybe?) I started to go across and Pat M let go with a holler that I can still hear; I have not walk across the field since without checking.

[nevetsllim]

Re: Sebrle '20cm from death'

Mind blowing that you can practice javelin at the track when others are training at the same time.

Possibly even more amazing:
"We will continue to prepare for the European indoors (from March 2-4 in Birmingham, England),"

When I was reading that article, I was thinking that's him out of the Europeans.

I know it's not the same but Jolanda Ceplak was struck by a javelin in the elbow last season in Greece and still competed in the same meet.

[gh]

Re: Sebrle '20cm from death'

Mind blowing that you can practice javelin at the track when others are training at the same time.....),"

When I was at Washington State there used to be indoor javelin practice (real javelin) in a fieldhouse with a 200m (220y) track. Spears would stick in the walls at the far end; one day a monstrous throw went through the wall on the second floor, coming out next to a guy in the weightroom, who nearly shat himself.

[EPelle]

Carmelo Rios, the great NCAA steepler, was practicing at Cal Poly SLO one day. When he was done, he picked up a javelin and started pretending he was a javelin thrower. One of his teammates told him, "I bet you can:t hit the footboll upright from here", which was at the 50y line on the grass. Rios took a step back, rocked and heaved it with all his might to see it miraculously stick in the wooden upright on the practice field.

The teammate, bewildered - but glad he hadn:t wagered on it, then went on to say, "I bet you 20 bucks you can:t do it again."

Rios took the challenge, picked up the javelin, and chucked it hard. Very hard.

It landed in the same spot (roughly) as the first throw, and no one was injured in the process. Incredible. No one ever told him again that they didn:t think he could do whatever he put his mind to!

[Zat0pek]

Re: Sebrle '20cm from death'

Mind blowing that you can practice javelin at the track when others are training at the same time.....),"

When I was at Washington State there used to be indoor javelin practice (real javelin) in a fieldhouse with a 200m (220y) track. Spears would stick in the walls at the far end; one day a monstrous throw went through the wall on the second floor, coming out next to a guy in the weightroom, who nearly shat himself.

I nominate this one for a TAFNY.