European U20 champion and home favourite Kelly Doualla started her campaign for another 100m title in impressive style at the Rieti 2026 European Athletics U18 Championships on Thursday (16).
The 16-year-old looked well within her comfort zone as she cruised through the heats of the women’s 100m. She eased down to finish second in heat two in 11.46 (1.5m/s), behind Carolina Ventura, who won in a Portuguese U18 best of 11.44.
Ventura’s winning time was the fastest of the qualifying round and only 0.05 shy of the championship record set by Great Britain's Nia Weddeburn-Goodison in 2022.
Doualla’s most likely rival for gold, European U18 leader Carolina-Andreea Punga of Romania, also progressed comfortably, winning heat five in 11.51 (0.6m/s).
Telo and Iheme through in men's 100m
The men’s 100m looks equally compelling. European U18 leader Dylan Telo of France opened his campaign with a hard-fought victory in heat four, clocking 10.55 (0.9m/s).
Great Britain's Divine Iheme, who holds the European U18 best for the indoor 60m with 6.68, looked as though he still had plenty in reserve as he strode to victory in heat three in 10.46 (0.2m/s).
Heat one winner Timotej Nemcek of Slovakia topped the qualifiers with a national U18 best of 10.41 (0.5m/s).
The semifinals and finals of both the men’s and women’s 100m will take place on Friday (17) evening.
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