Reigning European shot put champion Leonardo Fabbri produced a big early season world leading mark of 22.50m in Stellenbosch on Wednesday (11).
Fabbri produced three throws in excess of the 22 metre-line. His best mark of 22.50m came in the second round which was supplemented by marks of 22.05m and 22.29m in the first and fourth rounds.
"I feel like my technique is getting more and more stable, and this year I can really have fun. I can say I'm satisfied with how I've worked here in South Africa, and I'm ready to return to Europe to compete, to start measuring myself against the other best in the world,” said Fabbri as quoted by FIDAL.
Fabbri will open his indoor campaign in Lievin (19 February) followed by appearances in Torun (22 February), Nehvizdy (25 February) and at the Italian Indoor Championships in Ancona (27 February) on the road to the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Kujawy Pomorze from 20-22 March.
Fabbri will then turn his focus to the outdoor season culminating with the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham from 10-16 August. Fabbri won gold in Rome two years ago with a championship record of 22.45m, one of an incredible 11 gold medals won by the hosts in the Stadio Olimpico.