Having taken bronze in the javelin at this year’s European Championships, Croatia’s Sara Kolak won the biggest medal of her career Thursday night.
With a throw of 217 feet, one inch, Kolak took gold in the javelin by more than five feet. The first-ever javelin gold medalist from Croatia, Kolak joins two-time Olympic discus champion Sandra Perkovic as the nation’s only track and field gold medalists. Kolak’s gold medal-winning throw also set a national record.
Taking silver was Sunette Viljoen of South Africa, with her best attempt travelling just under 213 feet, and Barbora Spotakova of the Czech Republic took bronze with her best attempt being measured at 212 feet, seven inches.