USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix Round-Up

As Biggie would say “I’m going going, back back, to Cali Cali”

The USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix was a great mid-season competition for the throwers. The short lineup creates a more relaxed environment for these athletes because they already qualify for finals, given they complete a legal throw within the first three rounds.  

Here’s something you don’t see every day in the track and field space: A combined men’s and Women’s Hammer Throw competition! This unique event adds a new dimension to the competition, making it a must-watch for all track and field enthusiasts.

What I find so thrilling about a co-ed competition is how the competitive energy is amplified by expanding the talent pool. This dynamic can lead to some exhilarating throws, and the atmosphere becomes charged with excitement!

Starting off for the women, USA’s Brooke Andersen wins with her throw of 77.32m (253’8”) from the second round. Also from the second round is USA’s Deanna Price’s furthest throw of 77.16 (253’2”), claiming second position. One of Canada’s finest, Camryn Rogers, comes in third with a sixth-round throw of 75.56 (247’11”). In the fourth position is USA’s Janee’ Kassanavoid, with a throw of 72.99m (239’5”) from the third round. Finland’s Silja Kosonen takes the fifth position with a throw of 70.51m (231’4”), and USA’s Annette Echikunwoke earns a sixth place with a fifth-round throw of 70.11m (230’0”). Rounding out the field, USA’s Janeah Stewart claims seventh with a fifth-round throw of 66.69m (218’9”).

 On the men’s side, Ukraine’s Mykhaylo Kokhan wins with his third-round throw of 80.33m (263”6”). Claiming the second position and a new national record is Netherlands’ Denzel Comenentia with his first-round throw of 79.09m (259’5”). There was a battle for third place between USA’s Daniel Haugh and Rudy Winkler. Ultimately, it will be Haugh claiming with a throw of 76.86m (252’2”) from the third round and Winkler claiming fourth with a throw of 75.62m (248’1”) from the fifth round. USA's Alex Young claimed the fifth position with a second-round throw of 70.92m (232’8”). Rounding out the competition is Mexico’s Diego Del Real, with a fourth-round throw of 70.06m (229’10”).

 Coming into the Women’s Discus, 2021 Olympic Games Champion Valarie Allman of the USA and Cuba’s Yaime Perez join the competition with lifetime PRs of above 70m. Right out of the gate, Allman sets the tone for the competition with an opening throw of 65.59m (215’2”). She then solidifies her victory with a third-round throw of 67.93m (222’10”). Perez placed second with a throw of 64.95m (213’1”), which she threw in both the third and final round. Netherlands’ Jorinde Van Klinken claims the third position with her second-round throw of 62.74m (205’10”). 2023 World Champion Laulauga Tausaga from the USA takes fourth place with her fifth-round throw of 60.83m (199’7”). Finishing fifth is Germany’s Kristin Pudenz with her third-round throw of 58.88m (193’2”), and sixth place goes to Nigeria’s Chioma Onyekwere with her fifth-round throw of 57.81m (189’8”). USA’s Elena Bruckner finishes seventh with her second-round throw of 54.65m (179’3”).

 On the men’s side, Jamaica’s Roje Stona immediately claims the victory with an opening throw of 66.90m (219’6”). He then throws 3 cm further in the fifth round, solidifying the win. Chile’s Claudio Romero finishes second with a third-round throw of 64.12m (210’4”). USA’s Brian Williams and Reggie Jagers III place third and fourth, respectively, with throws of 63.36m (207’10) and 63.17m (207’3”). Samoa’s Alex Rose claims the fifth position with a third-round throw of 63.17m (207’3”). Places sixth through eighth are occupied by Team USA. Andrew Evans earns sixth with a throw of 61.68m (202’4”), Robbie Otal claims seventh with a throw of 57.99m (190’3”), and Josh Syrotchen finishes eighth with a throw of 56.67m (185’11”).

 The weekend wrapped up with the Men’s Shot Put, and USA’s Joe Kovacs claimed the victory with his furthest throw of 22.93m (75’2.75”). To further assert dominance, his throws in the first five rounds were all 22m+. For places second through seventh, it was a battle of who can have the furthest 21m throw! Ultimately, USA’s Roger Steen won that battle with a throw of 21.78m (71’5.5”) from the fifth round, placing him second in the competition. Finishing third is Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, with a third-round throw of 21.78m (71’5.5”). Fourth and fifth place are separated by four cm, with USA’s Josh Awotunde throwing 21.39m (70’2.25”) in the first round and USA’s Tripp Piperi throwing 21.35m (70’0”) in the second round. Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell placed sixth with a fifth-round throw of 21.07m (69’1.5”), Tom Walsh of New Zealand placed seventh with a fourth-round throw of 21.02 (68’11.75”), and Mexico’s Uziel Munoz finishes eighth with a fifth-round throw of 20.67m (67’9.75”).

The USATF LA Grand Prix was a great mid-season competition, with several throwers reaching the Olympic Standard and beyond! This tells me that we are in for an exciting Olympic Trials this year, and these athletes are hungry for a spot on their respective national teams. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Stay tuned for the next post, where I discuss the 2024 Team USA Olympic Track and Field Trials, held at the famous Hayward Field in Eugene, OR.

 Throwing it far,

SGB