Julian Weber unleashed a monster throw in the final round to not only take the gold, but also the championship record with an incredible 90.40m.
In summary:
- Julian Weber first man in championship history over 90m
- Nick Thumm completes German one-two
- Patriks Gailums took Latvia’s first medal since 2016
It seemed it would be a similar story to two years ago, where we could see Weber lead the field for much of the competition but be beaten in the closing rounds, not by Jakub Vadlejch this year but his countryman.
The 22-year-old German, Nick Thumm, had thrown 83.76m in the fifth round to bump the much more experienced German down into second.
But Weber wasn’t going to let history repeat itself.
He stood at the foot of the runway, encouraging the thousands of fans to clap him on, searching for every extra bit of energy he could utilise.
As he strode down the runway all eyes were cast on him, then as he released the javelin gasps filled the air while his javelin speared through the cold Birmingham air before landing a long way beyond the 85m mark.
Weber eagerly watched he scoreboard, it was certainly enough for gold, but just how far was yet to be announced.
Then it flashed up, all he needed to see was that the distance started with a nine and it confirmed he had become the first man over 90m at a European Athletics Championships.
But not only that, the record was held by Great Britain’s Steve Backley who watched on as a commentator as his 28-year-old record of 89.72m was shattered.
The German roared in not just pride and shock, but also in relief as he had finally reclaimed the gold after a gutting knock into silver in Rome.
Thumm’s throw was also a PB for the young athlete as he looks to ensure the German javelin talent continues for many years to come.
While the two German’s took most of the limelight there was a battle for third with just nine centimetres separating third through fifth.
It was Latvia’s Patriks Gailums who came out on top of the bronze medal battle with his third round throw of 82.97m, also marking the first Latvian medal at these championships since 2016.
Poland’s Dawid Wegner threw a season’s best but just missed out on a medal by one painful centimetre, throwing 82.96m in the second round.
While the reigning champion, Vadlejch, had to settle for fifth with his final round throw of 82.88m not quite enough to climb back onto the podium.
What they said:
Julian Weber: “It was just amazing. I was struggling a lot at the beginning of the competition. I had a problem with my run-up. I wasn't getting into my rhythm so I couldn't throw far. I knew I just had to be calm, be ready and it would come. I'm so happy I managed to do it on the last throw. The last one was just perfect. It was such an amazing feeling. I shocked myself with that last throw. I couldn't believe it. I knew I could throw that far, I knew if I could push really hard into it, I could do that. I am so grateful, so happy it worked. It is such a great feeling to get my title back. Of course, Munich four years ago was really special on home soil. But in Birmingham it is the same feeling going around the stadium, it was such a special memory.”
Patriks Gailums: “I do not even know how to wear the flag. This was a big competition. I am still somewhere in the field, my head cannot believe this. Did I believe I could medal? Yes and no. I was going day by day - qualification and final. It is super emotional. I have been waiting for such a long time for this to happen. It is amazing and unbelievable. The weather conditions were great for throwing, there is always some wind, so you need to adjust. I just did what I could. Hopefully, this gives a little push to the young Latvian athletes and a bit of hope as well. Julian Weber has done a great job. He was challenged and it made him throw further. He got a push from the competition. Today, it is me in third. Tomorrow, maybe it is not. It is just a competition. But now it is time to celebrate.”