POTSDAM, East Germany -- East German Petra Felke Friday set a world record in the javelin with a throw of 80.00 meters (262-feet, 11-inches), improving her own previous world mark by more than a meter.
'I didn't know I was in a position to reach the 80-meter dream mark,' Felke said.
'But naturally it's in your mind when you are only a javelin length from the limit.'
Felke made the throw on her sixth attempt at a meet at Potsdam Stadium. Her previous mark of 78.90 meters (258-10) was set July 29, 1987, in Leipzig, East Germany.
'After just two months of training, I thought today I would be good for between 75 and 76 meters. But after the first attempt, I realized that today I could throw long,' she said. 'The light headwind, two strong competitors and the audience were a great help.'