'I want to throw as close to 70m as possible' - Leandri Holtzhausen lands new SA Hammer Throw record

After smashing her own national hammer throw record at the third Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) open track and field league meeting on 15 February, Leandri Holtzhausen is adamant that she can produce even better performances in the future. The 27-year old, the 2024 silver-medallist in the senior women’s hammer throw after tossing 61.32m to finish behind winner Colette Uys, who threw 64.31m, eclipsed her previous mark of 66.11m set in 2023, when she threw a massive 66.54m in the fifth round at the Germiston Stadium.

"I know for a fact that I can produce much better performances in the future. It's just about timing and obviously how badly I want to improve myself as a hammer thrower. I'm motivated," she told #TheTopRunner.

Holtzhausen sends the hammer out to beyond 66m. Photo Credit: CGA/Cecilia van Bers.

Holtzhausen née Geel, produced a sensational series at the revamped Germiston Stadium. She was on fire from the onset, opening with 60.81m and then throwing farther with each of her following attempts. In the second round she tossed 64.97m and followed with 65.32m and 65.31 in the third and fourth rounds, respectively, before launching her implement out to a national record in the final round. Reflecting on that performance, an elated Holtzhausen explained how she threw over 66.50 for the first time in her career.

"In my mind, I just kept saying that I just need to give 5% more. At that moment, I also thought to myself that I had nothing to lose, so I might as well give it a go," said the Biokineticist who is coached by former SA, African, All-Africa Games and Commonwealth Games champion Chris Harmse.

Breaking the record wasn't a surprise for the UJ athlete. In fact, because of how her training has been going, she felt she was in shape to throw even further. "To be honest, I actually wanted to throw over 67m. My training has been looking really good so it is well within my reach. Obviously throwing over 67m and getting a new record would be better, but I'm still happy with the 66.54m," said the 2015 African U20 discus gold medalist.

Haltzhausen poses with coach Chris Harmse (centre) at the OR Tambo International airport before jetting off to Mauritius for the 2022 African Championships where she finished in sixth place. Photo Credit: Supplied.

That performance has now catapulted the three-time SA Champion into the favourite's role for the nationals in late April but at the moment, she's just focusing on improving and getting close to the 70m mark.

"I feel quite good but I'm not yet satisfied as I want to achieve much greater distances. At the moment, I just want try and get close to 70m as possible. If throw over 70m, it can really open up doors for me regarding the World Athletics Championships and maybe a few Diamond Leagues."