Jerusalem’s Givat Ram Stadium welcomed Europe’s best youngsters again in hot condition for European U20 Champs on 7-10 August. Germany is back to the top after 2017 with a total of 24 podiums, including medal sweep in women’s discus.
The Championships staged several fine doubles from talented athletes. The 17-year-old Polish sprinter Marek Zakrzewski has made a historic double in 100-200m – which feat does not match by any athlete since Darren Campbell in 1991. Marek posted his best in 100 metres by 10.25 to become first Polish junior male champion at the event in history. Then, he secured 200 metres gold with another career best (20.63) ahead of Netherland’s Timo Spiering.
LAROS MAGIC
The Netherlands’ youngster Niels Laros completed another “Jerusalem double” at European level. 2005-born Laros who already dipped 3:32 in 1500 metres and stunning 13:23.01 for 5000 metres during the season, was clear favorite to win both. Last year, he completed 1500-3000 double in very same track for Euro U18 Champs, then he easily took both 1500 and 5000 golds with some ‘modest’ marks such as 3:56.78 and 14:11.82. Remember, as a junior, he grabbed a bronze medal in European Games in June.
In the women’s side, similar story written by Latvia’s Agata Caune. She crowned as European Games gold medallist in senior-level, then returned to junior contest in Jerusalem as a ruler. She absolutely demolished the field in 5000 metres as she broke Elvan Abeylegesse’s 22-year mark more than 18 seconds by clocking 15:03.85. The talented Latvian also secured 3000 metres title after a stunning 8:53.20 finish – which is first under 9 minutes clocking at the Euro U20 since 2001.
FURIOUS FURLANI
Italian long jumper Mattia Furlani produced the best individual mark in the championships while he breaks aged event record. Furlani has jumped 8.23 (-0.2) in long jump final – just one centimetre shy of his European U20 lead this season - but it was fairly enough to break the 36-year-old event record (8.17m) which held by Soviet Union’s Vladimir Ochkan since 1987. Furlani’s best rival Bozhidar Sarabayukov has landed to silver with a perfectly executed 8.22 metres, one of the best junior marks in history. The tall Bulgarian stood on the triple jump podium as a silver medallist, and he has three different jumping event silvers now with the addition of World U20 high jump from last year.
On the sand pit, there was another high-class effort established by Estonia’s Victor Morozov. As a World medallist from last year, Morozov upgraded his 2021 Euro U20 bronze medal to gold after leaping 16.45m European age-best in triple jump final. The young athlete ended Estonia's title drought on the championships since 2011.
Switzerland has returned home with some good memories from Jerusalem as they retain recent surge in junior athletics. The Swiss team collected six medals and they impressed with first-ever 4x100 metres title over the European giants. Middle distancer Audrey Werro defended her 800m title after a very commanding race to brought to Switzerland yet another gold.
PROUD FAMILIES
Although the Swiss team was doing good in Jerusalem, Sweden and Czechia were emulated their very best in history. Sweden reached five golds at the Euro U20 first time to finishing second in the ladder behind Germany, as the Czech team celebrated eight podiums in total.
As a final note, the high jump contests have coincided with family connection. Angelina Topic claimed top spot in women’s competition while Melwin Holm took the gold for Sweden after very-tight battle between Italia’s Eduardo Stronati. Both champions are following of their father’s footsteps respectively. Also men’s high jump bronze medallist Robert Ruffini of Slovakia has followed his father’s trace too, Robert Ruffini Sr. has been won a high jump silver in Euro Juniors in 1985.
