Below is an extract from the latest issue of Inside Track, European Athletics’ official online magazine, looking back on the Tampere 2025 European Athletics U20 Championships and one of the outstanding athletes of the week, women’s javelin gold medallist Vita Barbic of Croatia.
In the women’s javelin, Croatia’s Vita Barbic showed her competitive maturity. Already assured of the gold medal, she unleashed her best throw of 55.26m in the final round.
But her lead-in to the championships wasn’t without challenges. “I was injured for three weeks before this championship. I didn’t know if I could even throw in qualification,” she admitted.
“Our team physio made it possible, and my coach guided me through it all. The first few series I was nervous, but then I just said to myself: you can’t let this opportunity slip away again.”
She was alluding to the World Athletics U20 Championships, where she left without a medal. “That taught me a lot. This time, I refocused, listened to my coach and showed what I can still do – even if I wasn’t in my best shape.”
Light fingered musician with a mighty arm
Barbic also brings a creative streak to her life away from athletics. “I like to draw, and I’m learning piano now,” she said. “It helps me not spend all my time on my phone. I can play ‘All of Me’ by John Legend, some Adele too – just easy songs to start with.”
While javelin is her priority, she still competes in discus. “I won’t let it go for a few more years,” she insisted. And with her senior year of school starting soon, Tampere may well be just the beginning for a thrower whose resilience and artistry make her stand out.