Ineta Radevica became the first ever medallist from Latvia at the European Athletics Championships after winning the long jump gold with a leap of 6.92m on Wednesday.

Latvia’s Ineta Radevica produced a major upset in the women’s long jump final winning the gold medal with a massive career best leap of 6.92m, breaking her previous best of 6.90m set in 2005.

In addition to her gold medal the 29-year-old Radevica broke her own national record and became the first ever female medal winner from Latvia at the European championships. Radevica’s previous best finish at a major championships were two fifth spots at the 2005 European championships and 2006 world indoor championships.

Portugal’s Naide Gomes matched her silver from Götheborg thanks to another 6.92 leap (SB) but Radevica’s second best effort (6.87m v 6.68m) gave her the gold medal. Meanwhile, the Russian squad had to settle for a bronze medal on this occasion after bagging gold at the last two championships.

It was European leader Olga Kucherenko who made the podium with a 6.84m attempt while defending champion Lyudmila Kolchanova finished fifth.

Latvia’s Ineta Radevica took advantage of a strong following wind of 3.4mps to leap a leading 6.73m in round 1 while European silver medallist Naide Gomes of Portugal managed 6.64 for second and defending champion Kolchanova opened with a 6.60 effort in third.

Radevica showed in round two than her lead was no fluke and extended her top position in round 2 to 6.87 (+2.1) while Ukraine’s Viktoriya Rybalko bounced back from a foul in round 1 to reach 6.78m in second. European indoor bronze medallist Olga Kucherenko managed 6.77m in her third while Gomes (6.68m) and Kolchanova (6.67m) also improved slightly but not enough to get among medals.

The third round was absolutely unremarkable but the fireworks kicked off in round four when Gomes landed a massive 6.92 to take top spot while Kucherenko managed 6.84 but to remain third. In the very last jump of the round Radevica produced another 6.92 mark to claim first place by virtue of a second best leap from Gomes.

The closing two rounds didn’t change the top places as Radevica had two fouls while Gomes produced a foul and a failed effort and the desperate efforts of Kolchanova didn’t land her further than 6.75m not only short for medal purposes but also to better Rybalko’s fourth place of 6.78. Kolchanova at least managed to hold off the challenge of Belarus’ Nastassia Mironchyk, who equally landed 6.75m in round 6.

Sweden’s Carolina Kluft was not among the first eight after round 3 and finished only 11^th with a best effort of 6.33m.