The press release from UVA says it all, but we're not so sure this feat is getting quite the recognition that it deserves. The redshirt sophomore Mihaljevic, fresh off his runner-up finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships, represented his home country of Croatia at last week's IAAF Indoor World Champs and bombed the 16 pound sphere of metal 68 feet and 5.75 inches, good enough to earn the bronze medal and less than an inch off the silver. True, a few of the world's best throwers were not there (just like in most of the other events) as the 2016 Rio Summer Games forces athletes to peak in August, making it tough to contest the Indoor Track & Field season. But nevertheless, do not let that fool you...this throw is good enough to make pretty much any Olympic Games Final, and is only a foot to two off of marks that will determine the medals.
For Mihaljevic, it was undoubtedly a HUGE breakthrough as even though he has experienced a tremendous amount of success on the NCAA and World Junior level, stepping up and heaving a personal best throw on the world's biggest stages is the next step to competing for an Olympic medal. And despite his relative youth (Mihaljevic will turn 22 right before the Rio Games), Filip HAS to see that as his target...as the once potentially tough to reach goal has quickly become a very true reality. Should be a fun next 6 months, and we're happy to have a front seat view...
For Mihaljevic, it was undoubtedly a HUGE breakthrough as even though he has experienced a tremendous amount of success on the NCAA and World Junior level, stepping up and heaving a personal best throw on the world's biggest stages is the next step to competing for an Olympic medal. And despite his relative youth (Mihaljevic will turn 22 right before the Rio Games), Filip HAS to see that as his target...as the once potentially tough to reach goal has quickly become a very true reality. Should be a fun next 6 months, and we're happy to have a front seat view...
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