Hunt bags Euro sprint double, Ceh keeps discus title
Hunt Secures Sprint Double as Ceh Defends Discus Crown
Bharatmorningnews.com – Amy Hunt delivered a commanding performance on Thursday evening in Birmingham, securing a memorable European sprint double with her victory in the 200 metres. The British athlete crossed the finish line in 22.19 seconds, showcasing a powerful final 50 metres to claim gold ahead of Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke, who finished in 22.28 seconds.
Dina Asher-Smith, who herself captured a sprint double at the 2018 European Championships, earned bronze to equal a record of seven continental medals. The 24-year-old Hunt now turns her attention to the relay events as she pursues a fourth championship gold.
“No celebrations and no champagne until Sunday night. We have got to come out here and make sure we show them who the best sprinting nation is in Europe.”
Ceh and Neugebauer Shine in Field Events
Germany dominated the evening with five medals, including two golds. Kristjan Ceh of Slovenia successfully defended his discus title, surpassing the championship record twice en route to a winning throw of 72.51 metres. Lithuania’s Mykolas Alekna secured silver, while Germany’s Henrik Janssen claimed bronze by edging Sweden’s Daniel Stahl by just 31 centimetres.
“This was the competition with the highest level there has been in the history of these championships,” said Ceh.
In the decathlon, world champion Leo Neugebauer of Germany captured a thrilling victory by a margin of 38 points over fellow German Niklas Kaul. Neugebauer’s discus throw of 54.31 metres proved decisive in his pursuit of gold.
“This was my first Europeans, I’d say they’ve been very sucesful, I’m very happy,” said Neugebauer.
Entering the final 1,500 metres, Neugebauer held a 154-point advantage over Kaul, who had surged past Norway’s Sander Skotheim with a javelin throw of 73.54 metres. Kaul needed to outpace Neugebauer by 22 seconds to claim victory, and the race came down to the wire as the German teammate dramatically slowed in the closing stages.
Neugebauer crossed the line in 4:38.36, prompting simultaneous reactions of groans and cheers from the 20,000 spectators at Alexander Stadium. Skotheim took the bronze medal in the decathlon.
English and Krause Claim Golds
Germany’s second gold came through Gesa Felicitas Krause, who defeated defending champion Alice Finot of France in the women’s 3,000 metres steeplechase with a time of 9 minutes 12.69 seconds. The 34-year-old Krause, a two-time world bronze medallist, secured her third European title in her sixth championship appearance.
Earlier in the day, Mark English made history by winning Ireland’s first-ever men’s European gold in the 800 metres. Fresh from setting a new championship record in the semi-finals, English delivered a perfectly-timed sprint to finish in 1:45.26.
“I have been trying for a lifetime to get a title,” said English, a medical doctor who previously won two bronze medals. “Relief in 2014 when I got my first medal and relief today as well. It is just amazing.”
Additional Medal Results
Switzerland’s Angelica Moser retained her pole vault title with a best effort of 4.80 metres. Finland’s Wilma Heltela took silver, while France’s world indoor champion Marie-Julie Bonnin claimed bronze.
Italy won the women’s triple jump as Dariya Derkach achieved a best of 14.60 metres, finishing ahead of Belgium’s Saliyya Guisse.
British momentum continued with a 1-2 finish in the men’s 100 metres, setting up Zharnel Hughes for Friday’s 200 metres final. The 2022 European gold medallist won his semi-final in 20.05 seconds ahead of Swiss defending champion Timothe Mumenthaler, who set a personal best of 20.09 seconds. Germany’s Owen Ansah, who earned 100 metres bronze in Birmingham, recorded the fastest qualifying time of 20.04 seconds, while Italian veteran Fausto Desalu won the first semi-final in 20.08 seconds.
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