Czechia's Linda Botková set a sensational new championship record in the women's 400m hurdles heats at the Rieti 2026 European Athletics U18 Championships on Friday (17).
Looking supremely relaxed in the Italian sun, the 16-year-old pulled well clear in heat five before easing up well before the finish to clock 56.79.
She sliced 1.21 seconds off the previous championship record, set by compatriot Nina Radová when winning gold at the last edition in Banská Bystrica two years ago.
It was also a Czech U18 record and established Botková as the hot favourite for gold, with Saturday's semifinals and Sunday's final still to come.
"I did not expect this time at all," said a thrilled Botková afterwards. "We had a clear plan with my coach – to secure qualification in an easy, relaxed way and save as much energy as possible because there are three rounds. The more you push in the heats, the more it is going to hurt in the final.
"Two years ago, I was watching Nina Radová when she broke the championship record and I was cheering for her so much. I did not expect to break it today. I hope the next two races will go well as well."
Elle-Kate McRae was the next-fastest qualifier, setting an Irish U18 record of 59.09 to win heat three.
In the men's 400m hurdles heats, Türkiye's Emre Basut led the qualifiers, winning heat three in a personal best of 52.42. Top-ranked Mauro Seguín of Spain also progressed safely, winning heat four in 53.21.
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