Yarelis BARRIOS CUB
I am very satisfied with my qualification result, a personal best. I am in a very good shape and in perfect health. I think the weather conditions here in Osaka are favorable for me because they are exactly the same as in Cuba. So, in the final I really want to place amongst the best of the world.

Franka DIETZSCH GER
I did not want to qualify with my first throw in order to enable my family to see more of me on TV because they are up now in the middle of the night in Germany. No, no, I am kidding. Sometimes, when you are too motivated for the first throw and want to do really well, then your head is blocked and it is like somebody  pulled away your feet. But it did not make me nervous - I have a solid basis of technique and routine. Although I am the titleholder, I do not feel under pressure. I would like to thank our team doctors and physios because today I did not suffer from any achilles problems at all.