AK
The basics
Quick facts
Intro
Latvian javelin thrower
Gender:
Male
Places:
Work field:
Birth:
21 November 1981(Riga, Latvia)
The details
Biography
Introduction
Ainārs Kovals (born 21 November 1981 in Riga, Latvia) is a male Latvian javelin thrower. His personal best throw is 86.64 metres, achieved at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, where he finished second. He has been coached by Valentīna Eiduka.
He is married to javelin thrower Sinta Ozoliņa-Kovala.
International competitions
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing  Latvia |
||||
| 2001 | European U23 Championships | Amsterdam, Netherlands | 4th | 73.22 m |
| 2003 | European U23 Championships | Bydgoszcz, Poland | 6th | 72.68 m |
| 2005 | World Championships | Helsinki, Finland | 7th | 77.61 m |
| Universiade | Izmir, Turkey | 1st | 80.67 m | |
| 2006 | European Championships | Gothenburg, Sweden | 5th | 85.95 m (PB) |
| World Athletics Final | Stuttgart, Germany | 5th | 82.32 m | |
| 2007 | Universiade | Bangkok, Thailand | 3rd | 82.23 m |
| 2008 | Olympic Games | Beijing, China | 2nd | 86.64 m (PB) |
| 2009 | Universiade | Belgrade, Serbia | 1st | 81.58 m |
| World Championships | Berlin, Germany | 7th | 81.54 m | |
| World Athletics Final | Thessaloniki, Greece | 7th | 80.07 m | |
| 2010 | European Championships | Barcelona, Spain | 6th | 81.19 m |
| 2012 | European Championships | Helsinki, Finland | 15th (q) | 76.32 m |
| Olympic Games | London, United Kingdom | 17th (q) | 79.19 m | |
| 2014 | European Championships | Zürich, Switzerland | 14th (q) | 77.70 m |
Seasonal bests by year
- 2002 - 75.05
- 2003 - 80.75
- 2004 - 82.13
- 2005 - 82.22
- 2006 - 85.95
- 2007 - 82.23
- 2008 - 86.64
- 2009 - 82.47
- 2010 - 82.33
- 2011 - 78.39
- 2012 - 83.89
- 2013 - 80.71
- 2014 - 81.75
- 2015 - 78.90