In one of the most stacked fields of these championships Kristjan Čeh has successfully defended his title with an incredible series that included two championship records from the Slovenian.
In summary:
- Kristjan Čeh took the gold with a massive championship record of 72.51m
- The championship record was extended three times between Mykolas Alekna and Čeh
- Henrik Janssen took third with 69.53m behind Alekna with 69.89m
From the warm-up throws Čeh already looked to be in great form with one of his practice throws landing around 69m already.
But with his very first throw Mykolas Alekna, the world record holder and 2022 European champion, threw 69.89m to extend his championship record of 69.78m and set the standard for the field.
Then up came Daniel Ståhl who threw 67.68m to also impress so early in the competition and as the three-time world champion searched for his maiden European title.
But the third man to enter the circle was the towering Čeh who took the spotlight from Alekna when he soared the discus to 70.83m and to extend the championship record himself – three throws in and two championship records.
The gentle headwind continued as Germany’s Henrik Janssen took to the circle for his first round throw where he slotted himself in medal contention with a season’s best of 69.08m.
In the second round the big distances continued as Čeh found himself beyond the 70 metre line again, Alekna over 68 metres and Janssen improved to 69.53m, which would be his best of the evening.
Alekna returned to the circle in the third round looking for a big throw before the headwind truly faded, but it was a no throw for the Lithuanian.
However for Čeh, he stood alone almost as if a spotlight highlighted the giant as he wound his arm back and unleashed a mammoth 72.51m throw, just 10cm off his PB that he set earlier this year in Ramona which has favourable winds.
He had all but confirmed the gold, there was three rounds remaining, but the wind was dying and no one seemed to be able to reach the Slovenian that night.
Two more no throws followed for Alekna, while Ståhl improved to 68.22m in the fourth round, but it wasn’t enough for the Swede to move into a medal position.
In the final round Alekna had once last chance to take back the championship record and European title from his oh so familiar rival, but with 69.23m it wasn’t quite enough.
Though to return from a torn pectoral muscle that required surgery in just April this year and take silver at these championships is certainly an impressive feat for the 23-year-old.
With the gold medal ready to be placed around his neck, Čeh took to the circle one last time and threw 70.68m to add to an already incredible series that saw him throw beyond the past championship record an unfathomable four times.
What they said…
Kristjan Čeh: “I am not surprised. I was expecting this. I knew what I could do from training - that I can throw very, very far, even the national record. I was expecting throws on such a level. It was a very exciting competition. I would say this was the competition with the highest level there has been in the history of these championships. We had perfect conditions for the discus, a perfect circle and everybody just had great throws. When you throw alongside these guys it is like another boost. I have a lot of respect for my opponents. I know them well and I know that they are capable of throwing long distances. My wife was crying with happiness when I saw here in the crowd. We have done some great work this year. But she will surely tell me that there were some reserves in my throws at 72m - it was not a perfect one. Maybe after two days we will have a technical analysis.”
Henrik Janssen: “I feel incredible. The conditions were very good. The circle was almost perfect. The wind to start off with was so ideal. It was coming from the left which made it perfect for throwing. I feel I'm quite experienced with big competitions, I still feel the pressure but I used it to the best of my ability here. I'm very happy for the whole of my German team, we've done so well and I'm so pleased for the other German medallists, especially the decathletes. It's crazy and so incredible.”