Irina Rodrigues is heating up the track and field world. With just over a month until the Tokyo World Championships, she is finding her best form. This past Sunday in Leiria, she threw the discus a stunning 63.17 meters. This mark is her personal best for the entire season.
This big throw came right after another impressive showing. Just one day before, she had already thrown over 60 meters for the first time this year. That throw, also in Leiria, measured 61.89 meters. Irina is the national record holder, with her best throw ever hitting 66.60 meters.
Irina only returned to competition in late May. She had taken many months off after the Olympic Games. She hasn’t yet reached the direct qualification mark for the World Championships, which is set at 64.50 meters. However, her 63.17-meter throw should give her enough ranking points. This means she is almost certainly heading to Tokyo.
Meanwhile, Emanuel Sousa also had a great day in Leiria. He won the discus event with a throw of 60.22 meters. He performed better than Edujosa Lima, who threw 58.49 meters, and British athlete Zane Duquemin, with 56.06 meters. Unlike Irina, Emanuel Sousa has already secured his spot for Tokyo. He set a new national record this year in Ramona, United States, with an amazing throw of 67.51 meters.