Rising hammer throw star Phethisang Makhethe produced the best performance of her career at the weekend, breaking the South African women’s record in her specialist discipline.
Competing for the University of Illinois at the Big Ten Championships in Eugene on Friday, Makhethe earned the silver medal after launching a massive 68.66m heave with her sixth and final attempt.
She was narrowly edged out by American athlete Anthonett Nabwe who won gold with a best throw of 69.85m, setting a new meeting record.
Makhethe, a former silver medallist at the African Youth Games, added 71 centimetres to the SA record of 67.95m set by Leandri Holtzhausen at the ASA Grand Prix meeting in Pretoria in March.
The 22-year-old US-based athlete improved her personal best by nearly two metres, having set her previous career best of 66.80m in Illinois earlier this month.
* Featured image of Phethisang Makhethe by University of Illinois
