Andrus Värnik (born 27 September 1977) is a retired Estonian track and field athlete who competed in the javelin throw. He is a World Champion, having won gold in 2005. His personal best throw of 87.83 m, set in 2003, was the Estonian record for 15 years.

Andrus Värnik
Värnik in 2004
Personal information
Born27 September 1977 (1977-09-27) (age 47)
Antsla, Estonia
Height1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight97 kg (214 lb)
Sport
Country Estonia
SportAthletics
EventJavelin throw
Achievements and titles
Personal bestsNR 87.83 m (2003)
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Estonia
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2005 Helsinki Javelin
Silver medal – second place 2003 Paris Javelin

Career

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Värnik won his first international medal, a silver medal, in the 2003 World Championships in Athletics, throwing 85.17 m. The next year he finished sixth in the javelin contest at the Olympic Games with the result 83.25 m.

With 87.17 m he won a surprise gold medal at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics, ahead of Olympic champion Andreas Thorkildsen, defending World Champion Sergey Makarov and home favorite Tero Pitkämäki.

Personal life

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In 2007, Värnik participated as a celebrity contestant on the second season of Tantsud tähtedega, an Estonian version of Strictly Come Dancing. His professional dancing partner was Kaisa Oja.

On 16 January 2010, Värnik was caught drunk driving in Tallinn. He was banned from driving for 4 months and fined 12,000 kroons.[1]

Achievements

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Year Competition Venue Position Result
Representing   Estonia
1996 World Junior Championships Sydney, Australia 23rd (q) 56.94 m
1999 European U23 Championships Gothenburg, Sweden 14th 63.04 m
2000 Olympic Games Sydney, Australia 15th 81.34 m
2002 European Championships Munich, Germany 21st 75.66 m
2003 World Championships Paris, France 2nd 85.17 m
2004 Olympic Games Athens Olympic Stadium, Greece 6th 83.25 m
2005 World Championships Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Finland 1st 87.17 m

Seasonal bests by year

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  • 2000 – 82.16
  • 2001 – 80.83
  • 2002 – 85.47
  • 2003 – 87.83
  • 2004 – 87.58
  • 2005 – 87.19
  • 2006 – 84.85
  • 2007 – 75.96
  • 2008 – 81.11
  • 2009 – 82.00
  • 2010 – 74.50
  • 2011 – 76.20

References

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  1. ^ "Andrus Värnik purupurjus autoroolis" (in Estonian). Elu24.ee. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
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Awards
Preceded by Estonian Sportsman of the Year
2003
Succeeded by
Preceded by Estonian Sportsman of the Year
2005
Succeeded by