A sensational men’s discus competition stole the spotlight at a sold-out Paavo Nurmi Games, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting, as European champion Kristjan Čeh led a historic series of 70m throws in Turku, Finland on Tuesday (18).
The former world champion, who will be the big home hope at next week’s Maribor 2025 European Athletics Team Championships 2nd Division in Slovenia, launched his discus out to 70.61m, narrowly missing the meeting record by just 1cm, to top an extraordinary competition that marked the first time outside the Oklahoma Throw Series that three men surpassed the 70 metre barrier in one event.
Australia’s Olympic bronze medallist Matthew Denny followed closely with 70.52m, while Sweden’s Daniel Ståhl — the current world champion — threw 70.19m. Olympic champion Roje Stona of Jamaica had to settle for fourth with a still-impressive 66.84m.
Ruppert impresses again
Beyond the discus fireworks, there were a number of standout performances by European athletes.
In the men’s 3000m steeplechase, Germany’s Frederik Ruppert continued his fine season with a commanding win in 8:10.39, setting a meeting record. Compatriot Karl Bebendorf also impressed with a PB of 8:11.52 in second.
Audrey Werro of Switzerland triumphed in the women’s 800m with a commanding finish in 1:59.39, just ahead of Poland’s European indoor champion Anna Wielgosz (1:59.55).
Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland took the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.66 (+1.2m/s), edging Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska, who clocked 12.68, both times underlining European depth in the sprint hurdles. The duo are both set to compete at next week’s Madrid 2025 European Athletics Team Championships 1st Division on 27-29 June.
In the women’s hammer throw, Finland’s Silja Kosonen thrilled the home crowd with a strong second-place finish of 73.21m, narrowly behind Canadian Camryn Rogers (74.59m), and just ahead of USA athlete Janee’ Kassanavoid (73.15m). Poland’s legendary three-time Olympic champion Anita Włodarczyk showed signs of form with 72.81m in fourth.
Belgian record for Vekemans
In the women’s pole vault, European U23 silver medallist Elien Vekemans soared to a Belgian national record of 4.61m, winning on countback over New Zealand’s Imogen Ayris. Italy’s Mattia Furlani claimed the long jump title with 8.11m (0.9), fending off Australia’s Liam Adcock (8.05m).
Britain’s Morgan Lake matched Jamaica’s Lamara Distin at 1.91m in the high jump, winning on countback.
In the javelin, Poland’s Cyprian Mrzyglód threw 82.90m to finish just behind Kenya’s Julius Yego (83.08m), while Finland’s Toni Keränen gave the home fans something to cheer with 81.96m in third.