In a contest of incredible depth and quality, the reigning Olympic bronze medallist Mykhaylo Kokhan got maximum points for Ukraine at Madrid 2025 on Friday (27) courtesy of a big 81.66m throw, a lifetime best for the 24-year-old and third in the world this year.
The Madrid 2025 European Athletics Team Championships 1st Division is being streamed live on the European Athletics website courtesy of the Eurovision Sport Platform.
Germany’s Merlin Hummel also exceeded the 80 metre barrier thanks to a 81.27m toss while Hungary’s reigning Olympic silver medallist Bence Halasz had to settle for third despite launching 80.63m.
Fireworks in round four
It was the 27-year-old Hungarian who took the top spot in the opening round courtesy of a 80.18m release followed by France’s Yann Chaussinand’s 78.45m while Ukraine’s Mykhailo Kokhan opened with a 76.70m toss for third. Germany Merlin Hummel, who kicked-off with a foul, launched 77.35m in his second throw to improve to 79.63m in the third round to threathen Halasz’s lead.
The contenders whittled down to eight after the third attempt and the fireworks came in round four when the Olympic bronze medallist Kokhan set a lifetime best to 81.66m to take the lead while Hummel responded with a 81.27m heave in the following attempt to leave Halasz in third while the final round didn’t produce any change in the leading places.
Poland’s five-time world champion Pawel Fadjek fouled his three attempts and could not advance to the second half of the contest.
The winner commented: “I’m very satisfied with my win as I got a lot of points for my country which was my job; in addition, I managed that against an incredible field and the crowd was so supportive so I’m specially delighted.”
Emeterio Valiente for European Athletics