The 2000 Olympic Games silver medallist Nicola Vizzoni launched the men's Hammer out to 78.22m at the Italian Winter Throwing Championships in San Benedetto del Tronto on Sunday.

Vizzoni's performance is the second best mark of 2010, albeit very early in the year.

He was the winner at the 2009 SPAR European Team Championships and is now looking to finally get among the medals at the European Athletics Championships this summer, having failed to qualify for the final in 1998 and 2002 and only being able to finish ninth four years ago.

Vizzoni can boast of a best of 80.50m, which he potentially can challenge if his early season form is an indication of his fitness.

Other good marks in San Benedetto del Tronto came from Silvia Salis, who won the women's Hammer with 71.25m, while Zahra Bani sent the women's Javelin out to 58.75m.