Europe’s next-gen athletics pulsated in the Estonian capital Tallinn for a couple of weeks. After the successful conclusion of Euro U23, the talented juniors have contested in well-weather championship for junior titles.

More than 1200 athletes coming from 45 countries competed in prestigious European U20 titles in Tallinn’s Kadriorg Stadium, the venue just hosted European U23 in the previous week. With small changes, all event set-ups used in U20 event was very suitable, especially in the ongoing pandemic situation.

The four-day event has concluded as Great Britain lead such as they did latest edition in Boras; meanwhile, Ireland, Sweden and Spain have had great achievements as well. 

Athletics-loving Ireland made the headlines in Tallinn after tremendous efforts from youngsters who secured four golds. Sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke continues to collecting medals after recent successes in Euro U18 and EYOF, won both 100m and 200m sprints in Europen U20 Champs by formidable margins. The Dublin-born 18-year old ran 22.90 European U20 lead in 200 metres, just 0.05 shy of Barbel Eckert’s championship record back in 1985.

“When I decided to do the double I was like, 'OK if I’m doing the double I have to win both'. I just feel like that’s really important to me. To actually be able to achieve it and complete it is such a huge relief and such a weight lifted off my shoulders” she said in RTE interview and insisted she’s focusing Paris 2024 Olympics.

Irish fans were also delighted with 16-year old Nicholas Griggs’s massive achievement in 3000 metres. Griggs, who lost his brother in a car accident just one month ago, guided smart pace in whole race before he concluded it with an untouchable final sprint. 

Kosovo, one of the recently affiliated (2015) members of the European Athletics Family, has celebrated their first-ever European title in shot put competition. The country’s own Muhamet Ramadani steadily produced some distant throws rest of the field and breaks his own national U20 record three times as eventually marked 19.92 metres to clinching gold. 

HURDLING FOR BREAK
One of the highlights of the event was tumbling two high hurdling championship records. Frenchman Sasha Zoya, came to the Estonian capital with fresh all-time fourth 13.02 (10 Jul) and he clocked very close to it in Kadriorg Stadium. Zoya lowered his compatriot Willem Belocian’s former CR 13.18 to 13.05, despite a considerably poor start with 0.196 reaction from the block. In the same final, the 17-year old Matthew Sophia from the Netherlands, reached home as second by 0.21 margin, but ahead of three PB-running rivals.

In women’s equivalent, 100 metres hurdles has won by Swiss up-and-comer Ditaji Kambundji, younger sister of World-renowned sprint star Mujinga. The talented sprint hurdler started Tallinn campaign in the heats with CR equalling 13.09, which has been established back in 1995, then smashed it in the semis, 13.01. Next day, Ditaji was crowned as European U20 Champion after her solid 13.03 run with 0.39 seconds clearance over the following Polish duo.

MAJA THE STAR
Swedish team celebrates best medal tally in their Euro U20 history as new talent Maja Askag performed brilliantly. 18-year old Askag not just became the second woman to complete LJ-TJ double in European U20 repeating Anastasia Ilyina's 2001 feat; also well progressed personal bests out there. She jumped 14.05 in triple jump while adding 38 centimeters to her previous best as well as 6.80 (+2.1) in long jump, massive boost from 6.45m. In men's side, another Swedish Gabriel Wallmark secured the triple jump gold with 16.39m.

German Oliver Koletzko performed world-leading U20 mark with 7.98 to taking LJ gold to his country first time since mid-80s. The son of Lithuania's greatest Virgilijus Alekna, Mykolas followed his father's footsteps to clinching discus crown while Artur Felfner brought gold to Ukraine in men's javelin throw as producing a magnificent 78.41 throw. 

Finland's EYOF champion hammer thrower Silja Kosonen wins European U20 title with new championship record (71.06m) as her team-mates Saga Vanninen (heptathlon) and Ilona Mononen (3000m) brought two more golds for Suomi.