It was a bonanza edition of the European Athletics U23 Championships in Bergen with no fewer than 12 championship records being set in the Fana Stadium between 17-20 July.
The first record to be set was quite possibly the most surprising as well. Italy’s Francesco Pernici led six athletes under the previous championship record in the first heat of the men’s 800m, consigning the oldest men’s championship record to history with a 1:44.06 clocking to shave over one second off Nils Schumann’s mark of 1:45.21 which was set in 1999.
The record books also underwent significant revision in the one lap events with championship records being set in both 400m and 400m hurdles finals. Jonas Phijffers and Henriette Jaeger became the first athletes to break 45 seconds and 50 seconds respectively at the European Athletics U23 Championships with winning times of 44.82 and 49.74.
Owe Fischer-Breiholz broke Karsten Warholm’s championship record in the men’s 400 hurdles final with 48.01, leading the top three under the Norwegian’s previous mark of 48.37, and Emily Newnham took the women’s 400m hurdles record down to 54.08 to win by over one second.
Championship records were also set in all four relay finals with European U23 records being set in three of the four finals. Anchored by individual 100m winner Jeff Erius, France won the men’s 4x100m in 38.43 to shave 0.27 from the previous mark while the championships concluded with Spain and Great Britain winning the 4x400m relays in European U23 records of 3:02.02 and 3:26.52 respectively.
In addition, a slew of national U23 records and national senior records were set across the four days, including two notable records for Finland. Saga Vanninen won the heptathlon with 6562 points, a performance which was not just a championship record but also broke the Finnish record which dated all the way back to 1991, and Antti Sainio became the first Finn to break the 49 second-barrier in the 400m hurdles, clocking 48.97 in the semifinal and 48.61 in the final.
European U18 and U20 hammer champion Valentina Savva became the first athlete from Cyprus to break the 70 metre-barrier in the hammer with 70.22m and Slovenia took their national 4x100m record below the 39 second-barrier for the first time with 38.99 to finish fourth in the final.
A full list of records set at the 2025 European Athletics U23 Championships can be found here.
Championship records (12)
Men
400m – 44.82 – Jonas Phijffers (NED)
800m – 1:44.06 – Francesco Pernici (ITA)
400m Hurdles – 48.01 – Owe Fischer-Breiholz (GER)
4x100m Relay – 38.43 – France (FRA)
4x400m Relay – 3:02.02 – Spain (ESP)
3000m Steeplechase – 8:20.17 – Maciej Megier (POL)
Women
400m – 49.74 – Henriette Jæger (NOR)
800m – 1:57.42 – Audrey Werro (SUI)
400m Hurdles – 54.08 – Emily Newnham (GBR)
4x100m Relay – 42.92 – Great Britain & NI (GBR)
4x400m Relay – 3:26.52 – Great Britain & NI (GBR)
Heptathlon – 6563 pts – Saga Vanninen (FIN)
European U23 records (3)
Men
4x400m Relay – 3:02.02 – Spain (ESP)
Women
4x100m Relay – 42.92 – Great Britain & NI (GBR)
4x400m Relay – 3:26.52 – Great Britain & NI (GBR)
National records (10)
Men
400m Hurdles – 48.61 (f) – Antti Sainio (FIN)
400m Hurdles – 48.97 (sf) – Antti Sainio (FIN)
400m Hurdles – 48.34 – Matic Ian Gucek (SLO)
4x100m Relay – 38.99 (f) – Slovenia (SLO)
4x100m Relay – 39.05 (ht) – Slovenia (SLO)
Decathlon – 6648 – Ognen Stefanovski (MKD)
Women
Hammer Throw – 70.22m – Valentina Savva (CYP)
Heptathlon – 6563 pts – Saga Vanninen (FIN)
Pole Vault – 4.35m – Rugile Miklyciute (LTU)
4x100m Relay – 44.42 – Türkiye (TUR)
