On Saturday, Pål Haugen Lillefosse broke his own Norwegian record in the pole vault with a jump of 5.86 meters. He is now alone the third best in the world this year.

Hours earlier, Eivind Henriksen had thrown an 80.17 sledgehammer. This is the fifth best pitch in the world this year. Both Lillefosse and Henriksen secured clean gold in their respective trainings.

– It’s really world class and usually will be awarded medals at international championships, Slokvik told NTB.

In the last two years, 5.87 has awarded bronze in the WC pole vault, while Henriksen’s throw will give silver in WC and fourth place at the Olympics. Lillefosse tried at 5.90 when the win was secured, but it was too difficult for him. He gave up after one attempt.

Medal Candidate

Slokvik believes the performance in NC is promising well ahead of a summer of championships that starts with the WC at American Eugene in just under three weeks. Norway is eyeing two medals.

– If they jump 5.86 and pass the first try, usually a medal. At least we have a number of medal candidates to win medals. Not everyone is in.

In addition, brothers Sondre and Simen Guttormsen are on top of the world.

Warholm and Ingebrigtsen

If there are two Norwegian World Cup medals, however, it may be important that Karsten Warholm recovers from his thigh injury. Slokvik said it looked good for the reigning Olympic and World Cup winners.

– There’s that possibility. It’s going well and in the right way. They follow the plan and its development. From today onwards, it seemed that he had had enough. On schedule, said Slokvik.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen is also a clear medal candidate ahead of the World Cup. He prioritized altitude training over this year’s National Championships.

More likely in the heat of the World Cup

Slokvik stated that the Norwegian WC squad will probably consist of 16-18 athletes, and there are several that are in discussions about being expelled after the NM show.

– There were two halves on Saturday that made them possible for the World Cup. Thomas Mardal, who came in second in the sledgehammer, and Tom Erling Kårb, who won the 3000 meter hurdle. As it’s out now, they’re in, the sports manager said and added:

– Not entirely sure, but at least they did well.

Mardal was second with a throw of 72.95, while Kårb won the 3000 meters with a time of 8.31.13. In addition, Slokvik is “pretty sure” that Markus Thomsen (cool) will get a place in the WC.