The European Athletics U20 Championships in Tampere from 7-10 August were highlighted by a spectacular world U20 decathlon record from Poland’s Hubert Troscianka and six championship records in total.
Troscianka won the decathlon title with 8514 points to become the first U20 to break the 8500 points-barrier, breaking Niklas Kaul’s previous mark of 8435 which was set at the 2017 European Athletics U20 Championships in Grosseto.
Troscianka rewrote the record books along the way to his decathlon triumph. His 46.21 clocking in the 400m, which would have won silver in the individual 400m final, shattered the world U20 decathlon best and he also set a championship best in the javelin with 68.87m.
The championship records fell in back-to-back races in the 400m hurdles finals. European U18 champion Michal Rada stormed to victory in the men’s 400m hurdles in 48.78, shattering the previous mark of 49.23 and coming within 0.04 of the European U20 record which had survived on the record books since 1984.
Romania’s 17-year-old Alexandra Stefania Uta pipped Meta Tumba on the line in one of the races of the championships in the 400m hurdles, winning in 55.55 to smash the championship record of 55.89 set by eventual two-time world champion Zuzana Hejnova in 2005.
Innes FitzGerald was another star of the European Athletics U20 Championships and was one of four athletes to leave Tampere with two gold medals. After winning the 5000m title in 15:09.04, the second fastest time in championship history, FitzGerald also dominated the 3000m in gun-to-tape fashion, breaking 2000 Olympic champion Gabriela Szabo’s enduring championship record of 8:50.97 from 1993 with 8:46.39.
Italy’s Erika Saraceni also broke the long-standing championship record in the triple jump with 14.24m and in the longest race of the championships, Joan Querol won the 10,000m race walk for Spain in a championship record of 39:10.04.
President Karamarinov pays tribute
“The Tampere 2025 European Athletics U20 Championships has been an incredible event that will live long in the memories of the athletes who competed so brilliantly, the fans who supported it some enthusiastically in the stadium and at home," said European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov.
“There were an incredible 6 championship records, including one world U20 record by Poland’s Hubert Troscianka in the men’s decathlon, 47 national U20 records and in 19 events, 11 nations celebrated their first-ever gold medal.
"This championships is a major step towards success at the Olympic, world and European Athletics Championships of the future – we look forward to watching them progress in the coming years.
"Once again, Tampere has proven itself to be a true city for youth, with an atmosphere throughout the event that was nothing short of fantastic.
"Congratulations to all — and kiitos to the Local Organising Committee, the volunteers, officials, partners, the City of Tampere, and Finnish Athletics for their excellent organisation and warm hospitality."
A full list of records can be found here.
World U20 Record (1)
Decathlon – 8514 – Hubert Troscianka (POL)
Championship Record (6)
Men
- 400m Hurdles – 48.78 – Michal Rada (CZE)
- Decathlon – 8514 – Hubert Troscianka (POL)
- 10000m race walk – 39:10.04 – Joan Querol (ESP)
Women
- 3000m – 8:46.39 – Innes FitzGerald (GBR)
- 400m hurdles – 55.55 – Alexandra Stefania Uta (ROU)
- Triple jump – 14.24m – Erika Saraceni (ITA)
World U20 Lead (4)
Men
- 400m hurdles – 48.78 – Michal Rada (CZE)
- Decathlon – 8514 – Hubert Troscianka (POL)
Women
- Heptathlon – 6293 – Jana Košcak (CRO)
- 10,000m race walk – 43:47.89 – Sofia Santacreu (ESP)
European U20 leads (12)
Men
- 110m hurdles (99.0cm) – 13.27 – Matteo Togni (ITA)
- 400m hurdles – 48.78 – Michal Rada (CZE)
- Pole Vault – 5.45 – Axel Rogö (SWE)
- Decathlon – 8514 – Hubert Troscianka (POL)
- 10,000m race walk – 39:10.04 – Joan Querol (ESP)
- 4x400m relay– 3:05.79 – Czechia (CZE)
Women
- 400m hurdles – 55.55 – Alexandra Stefania Uta (ROU)
- Triple jump – 14.24 – Erika Saraceni (ITA)
- Hammer throw – 69.14 (Q) – Patricia Kamga (SWE)
- Heptathlon – 6293 – Jana Košcak (CRO)
- 10,000m race walk – 43:47.89 – Sofia Santacreu (ESP)
- 4x400m relay – 3:35.24 (ht) – Italy (ITA)
