Poland’s Karina Nizynska put a stop to the Italian dream, when she took gold in the high jump with 1.84m over home athlete Alessandra Bighi on Sunday (19) in Rieti.
For a few moments, it seemed that Bighi would take Italy’s third gold of the championships when she cleared 1.80m, and then 1.82m, until the Pole also cleared the second height on her third attempt.
Then as both athletes had two failed attempts at 1.84m, the gold was almost in the Italian’s grasps until Nizynska soared over the bar to the eruption of the onlooking crowd.
“I managed to win this title thanks to my team and supporters who were cheering for me in Rieti, Nizynska said. “Also, it is the result of all the hard work and I am so happy and relieved.
“The Italian jumper [Bighi] was so impressive because her run up is much shorter than mine. So I think the fact that she jumped so high is even more impressive than my jumps because she broke her PB.
“I also tried 1.88m but I was already too tired and emotional - I really wanted to jump it but on the other hand, I did not need to. Maybe next time. Now, I am planning to compete in Oregon and we will see how it goes.”
It was Germany’s Lea Volcker that completed the podium with her clearance of 1.80m for bronze.
Nizynska was the European U18 leader coming into Rieti with a PB of 1.85m and held a clean sheet until her two failures at 1.82m.
However, Bighi’s PB before Sunday was 1.77m, along with three other athletes, but showed what the magic of a home championships can help to achieve.
“I have very strong emotions right now,” Bighi said. “I was not the favourite and did not expect this result. I am very happy to bring Italy in this podium.
“I guess I have never jumped so many jumps in a competition. At training I felt that I was in good shape. It was a really nice experience to jump with the other strong competitors.
“I am known as a jumper of the third attempt, mentally I am quite strong but this is simply what competing means.
“Antonietta Di Martino [two-time world bronze and world silver medallist in high jump] gives me a lot of confidence, she believes in me and I am satisfied and happy that she is here. She is one of the biggest athletes in Italy.”