Dutchman Jarno Van Daalen became a double gold medallist after adding men’s discus gold to the shot put title he won a day earlier at the European Athletics U20 Championships in Tampere on Saturday (9).
Tampere 2025 is being live streamed on the European Athletics website courtesy of Eurovision Sport.
"Double gold feels amazing"
A modest start saw him way down the leaderboard but a strong third round throw of 61.15m moved him up to second place behind home favourite Mico Lampinen.
He improved on that next time out, and his massive fourth attempt of 63.18m couldn't be beaten. Jarno’s victory emulated his sister Alida, who completed an identical double gold at the 2023 European Athletics U23 Championships in Espoo.
“Double gold feels amazing,” he said. “I am very satisfied with both competitions and I had a great time. Having fun and good throwing conditions are very important for me. If you like what you do and have fun doing it, that is extra motivation for me.”
Poland's European U18 champion Jakub Rodziak came close to toppling Van Daalen with a personal best on his fifth attempt of 62.90m - himself adding a silver medal to Friday's (8) shot put bronze.
In a final with plenty of home interest, early leader Lampinen was pushed down the order as the competition went on by Van Daalen, Rodziak, and Hungary’s Zsombor Dobó, whose fourth attempt of 61.89m was enough for third. He improved on his final attempt with a throw of 62.26m but had to settle for a bronze medal.
Kienast lands last gasp hammer win
Germany's Nova Kienast shocked the competition with a final throw for the ages to win women’s hammer gold in Tampere.
Last year’s European U18 bronze medallist was sitting outside of the medals in fourth before her final throw, before launching a mammoth last-gasp effort of 67.93m to turn the leaderboard upside down and shock long-time leader Marie Rougetet.
The French thrower led early with a personal best of 67.38m until being pushed down to second in the final round. She had the chance to respond with her last throw but could only manage 66.87m and had to settle for silver.
Finland's Pinja Kärhä led briefly after a first attempt with of 66.07m, and sent the cheering home fans back happy, as that throw was enough for her to hold on to bronze. Kienast’s final throw pushed Sweden’s Patricia Kamga down to fourth, while fellow German Clara Hegemann finished fifth.