DOHA: In 2004, at age 22 Andreas Thorkildsen dared to fight against javelin throw giants likes Jan Zelenzy and Steve Backley at the Athens Olympic Stadium and not only he stood on an equal footing but he also managed to add his name to the list of honour which features all Olympic Games gold medalists.
Yesterday, in Doha at age 31 the Norwegian two-times Olympic Champion came face to face with another tough task that he had to cope with - ‘equestrian javelin throw’.
Although he hadn’t ridden a horse since his childhood, Thorkildsen accepted with pleasure the challenge to throw a javelin while riding a proud Arabian breed horse at Al Shaqab, Qatar’s famous equestrian center.
“I suppose they gave me an “easy” one to ride” cheerful Thorkildsen said after the photo-shooting and right before he enjoyed a tour at Al Shaqab’s state-of-the-art facilities.
Thorkildsen (born 1 April 1982) is a Norwegian javelin thrower, born in Kristiansand.
He is the first male javelin thrower in history to be European champion, world champion and Olympic champion.
He was Olympic champion in 2004 and 2008, European champion in 2006 and 2010, World Champion in 2009 as well as a three time silver medalist at the World championships in 2005, 2007 and in 2011. He set a world junior record in 2001. He has a personal best of 91.59m set in 2006
Injury-free Thorkildsen feels confident ahead of the upcoming season but he is even more positive in succeeding in equestrian javelin throw.
“We have just invented a new sport, so I guess I am the best in the world,” joked Thorkildsen.
THE PENINSULA
