Two IAAF challenge series set to kick off in Melbourne

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On Saturday (21), Melbourne will mark the beginning of the sixth editions of both the IAAF World Challenge and the IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge. Both series will pass through numerous countries around the world before reaching a conclusion in Rieti on 13 September. The challenge events will also cross over throughout the year; of the 13 IAAF World Challenge meetings, seven of them also form part of the IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge. Among the many outstanding performances in both of last year’s series, none could top the 79.58m world record in the women’s hammer throw from Anita Wlodarczyk in Berlin. But with athletes around the world preparing to compete at this year’s IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015, both challenge series this season are expected to top the excitement of last year. In Melbourne this weekend, Kenya’s 800m world record-holder David Rudisha is one of two Olympic champions competing; the other is 100m hurdles champion Sally Pearson. Other top stars in action include world javelin silver medallist Kim Mickle, 2009 world 200m silver medallist Alonso Edward and world indoor shot put bronze medallist Tom Walsh. In the hammer, Australia’s all-round throws talent and world youth discus champion Matt Denny leads the entries.   IAAF World Challenge calendar 21 Mar – Melbourne, AUS 9 May – Kingston, JAM 10 May – Kawasaki, JPN 20 May – Beijing, CHN 23 May – Dakar, SEN 24 May – Hengelo, NED 26 May – Ostrava, CZE 14 Jun – Rabat, MAR 21 Jun – Belem, BRA 11 Jul – Madrid, ESP 6 Sep – Berlin, GER 8 Sep – Zagreb, CRO 13 Sep – Rieti, ITA IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge calendar 21 Mar – Melbourne, AUS 10 May – Kawasaki, JPN 20 May – Beijing, CHN 26 May – Ostrava, CZE 14 Jun – Rabat, MAR 21 Jun – Belem, BRA 25 Jun – Turku, FIN 7 Jul – Szekesfehervar, HUN 18 Jul – Moscow, RUS 22-30 Aug – Beijing, CHN 13 Sep – Rieti, ITA Courtesy IAAF