Mark Dry

Mark Dry is a Scottish Track and Field athlete specialising in the Hammer Throw.  The Throwersunite team recently managed to catch up with the Commonwealth Games Bronze medallist and asked him a few questions about his training.

Q. What are you currently doing for Training over winter ?

A. Right now I’m messing around with a 7k chain hammer trying to be a little more patient. I’ve been injured recently so the throwing volume isn’t that high. Im also throwing a short 12.5kg mostly off 3 turns and full length 10kg and staying in touch with the comp weight when I feel I need a lighter day. In the gym I’m running jumping lifting and throwing .

Q. Can you give us a little insight to your experience at the World Championships this year ? Were you happy with your performance ?

A. Beijing was the first major Championships I’ve qualified for outright with two 76 metre throws over the IAAF Qualifying standard so there was no pressure compared to when I competed in Glasgow so I felt really comfortable and ready, I felt like I was meant to be there and i could mix with the pack. I’m always trying to find my technique which has never really settled and I lost consistency the last few weeks coming into the championships which was really frustrating but given everything that happened 73.87m was 61cm off the final, from memory I was ranked 25th going in and came 25th so I have to be positive and say it was successful I could have choked hard and bombed out on the big stage. I was closer to my PR than a lot of guys so yeah just a standard good Result.

Q. Finally what do you think of the IAAF lowering the Hammer standard for Rio from 78 metres to 77 metres? think it’s a little to excessive?

A.I think it sucks. I really would like to know where they pluck the number from. if the distance was 77.52 or something then it would at least seem like the standard was figured out as some sort of and average but going straight to 78.00 kind of just seems random. everyone complained and the IAAF were like “okay 77.00 then happy? ” they are just so out of touch with what is required , 76 worked in beijing so how, 1 year later do they justify a 2m jump and even after changing the distance to 77m how do they justify another 1m Jump?

Thank you very much for your time Mark and we wish you all the best on your journey to Rio.

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