Samuels & Lapierre in the medals in Shanghai

NSWIS athletics duo Dani Samuels and Fabrice Lapierre have boosted their Rio Olympic preparations with podium finishes at the second event of the 2016 IAAF Diamond League in Shanghai over the weekend. 

With her plane ticket to Rio booked, Australian women’s discus champion Samuels finished second in Shanghai to Olympic champion Sandra Perkovic of Croatia, producing a throw of 67.77 metres, the third best of her career to date. 

Consistency was key for Samuels who’s opening round throw of 64.00 metres was followed by her only foul, marks of 62.85 metres, 64.27 metres and her second place throw following. 

Samuels’ long-time coach Denis Knowles said the 2009 world champion was right where she needed to be to challenge for the medals in Rio.

“As far as being up against the best in the world, that’s her best performance since Berlin,’’ Knowles said. 

“And she feels like there’s more there.’’

Knowles believes that something over 68m will be required to win an Olympic medal this year, and a 70m throw will win the gold. He doesn’t believe either is -beyond Samuels.

“If she can compete like she has just done, she’s a threat to the ¬medals and we always go in to win,’’ he said.

“I think she’s in the best shape she’s ever been in and she’s mentally ready. Now it’s about getting there healthy and in the right frame of mind.’’

Meanwhile 32-year-old Lapierre continues to produce top result for Australia as he grabbed third place in the men’s long jump with a jump of 8.09 metres in the final round of competition. China’s Xinglong Gao and South Africa’s Rushwal Samaai claimed positions one and two. 

Lapierre has enjoyed a number of strong performances of late, the result in Shanghai adding to the silver medal the Aussie won at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Portland, USA and national title won in in Sydney at the Australian championships in March/April.  

While Samuels will return to Australia for a brief period before further competition in Europe in July, Lapierre will continue on for the third round of the Diamond League to be held in Rabat, Morocco. 

In other results fellow NSWIS athlete Madeline Hills lined up for the women’s 3000 metre steeplechase, however recorded a DNF. She will return to Australia for training before also departing for Europe to continue her Rio preparation.