Serbian thrower Adriana Vilagos added yet another major title to her growing collection at the European Athletics U20 Championships in Jerusalem on Thursday (10).
The 19 year old was a heavy favourite to take the women’s javelin gold having twice won the world U20 title in 2021 and 2022. The expectation seemed to weigh on her shoulders in the early rounds, but she cut loose with a fourth round throw of 58.38m to banish any doubts.
Having won silver two years ago at these championships and bronze in the Munich 2022 European Athletics Championships at senior level last year, it is another important staging post in the young thrower’s career. Veronika Sokota of Croatia took silver with 55.41m and Fanni Kover of Hungary grabbed bronze with 53.09m.
The European silver medallist becomes the European U20 champion! 🫶
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) August 10, 2023
Adriana Vilagos 🇷🇸 strikes gold for Serbia in the javelin in #Jerusalem2023! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/HGZt6PBV2i
Werro proves class in 800m final
Switzerland’s Audrey Werro was another to justify her pre-race favourite status as she made a successful defence of her women’s 800m title. Türkiye's Dilek Kocak led at the bell, replicating the approach that brought her 1500m gold on Wednesday evening.
Werro moved past with 300m remaining and gradually went through the gears to open a 20-metre lead around the turn. Great Britain & Northern Ireland’s Abigail Ives took up the chase, but could not match the classy Swiss athlete who strode to a comfortable victory in 2:03:38. Ives was rewarded with silver in 2:05.89 and Kocak clung on for bronze in 2:06.21.
“I don't know if the other girls were expecting that, but I know I have a very strong finish, so I was confident with finishing fast,” said the Swiss athlete.
“I was trying to do my best race, the first objective was the medal and maybe the time. I continue to run without caring what the others think of me. The first objective was the title and I’m happy with it.”
A winning margin of 2.51 seconds! 🤯
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) August 10, 2023
Audrey Werro signs off her U20 career in style with back-to-back 800m titles in #Jerusalem2023! 👌 pic.twitter.com/iJv8tLnpFc
There was drama on and off the track in the men’s 800m.
It looked like Jakub Dudycha got his tactics spot on, to add European U20 gold to the one he took at U18 level in the same stadium last year. He was then later disqualified for a push on Switzerland’s Ramon Wipfli, but was eventually reinstated.
Spain’s Ronaldo Olivo was the fastest in the field and he went to the front from the start to make it a true-run race. Dudycha kept the Spaniard within range and with 200m to go, Olivo’s long stretch at the head of the field took its toll.
Dudycha steamed past followed by France’s Thomas Marques De Andrade. The Czech ran clear in the home straight to finish in 1:46.76. Wipfli burst through to finish second in 1:47.20 with Marques De Andrade holding off Olivo by 0.10 seconds for bronze in 1:47.29.
Strong Finnish earns gold and silver
The men’s 400m hurdles was all about a strong finish by the strong Finnish. Jere Haapalainen and Antti Sainio claimed a unique Finland 1-2, thanks to a simultaneous kick down the home straight to overcome early leaders Anouar Bourahla of France and Nikola Kostić of Croatia.
Running from lane eight, Haapalainen paced it to perfection, setting a national U20 record of 50.02 in the process. Teammate Sainio executed identical tactics and was also rewarded with a lifetime best of 50.19. Bourahla hung on for bronze, also in a personal best of 50.33.
“I tried to go out hard and I trusted my feelings today,” said Haapalainen. “I knew my finish was strong so I stayed calm and focussed and it worked out well for me. These U20 championships is just amazing, everything went perfect. I love the venue here. We have a good energy in our team here.”
What a fin(n)ish! 😏
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) August 10, 2023
The flying Finns take gold and silver in the 400m hurdles final in #Jerusalem2023! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/UHks7HBiEQ
In an exhibition of committed front running, Sweden’s Moa Granat took home the women’s 400m hurdles title. Taking it out from the gun, she held the lead throughout to go one better than the silver she managed two years ago in Tallinn with 56.58.
Sixteen-year-old Olha Mashanienkova of Ukraine led the chase. But could never quite get on terms with the flying Swede and settled for a creditable silver medal in 56.83. There was a mad scramble for the bronze between Romania’s Alexandra Stefania Uta and Great Britain & Northern Ireland's Emily Newnham with both being clocked at 57.02. The Romanian was eventually given the nod by just 0.004.
Steeplechase repeat for Del Barrio
In the men’s 3000m steeplechase, Spain’s Sergio Del Barrio added European U20 gold to the European U18 title he won over 2000m steeplechase last year. Going into the final lap, he had a healthy gap on Ferenc Soma Kovács and the Hungarian had a further gap on the rest of the pack.
Del Barrio looked to have gold in his pocket, but he started to falter from the final water jump onwards and only just managed to hold off France’s fast-finishing Pierre Boudy by 0.23 seconds with 8:46.81. Soma hung on for bronze in 8:47.50 with the pack closing.
Medalla de oro! 🥇
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) August 10, 2023
European U18 champion Sergio Del Barrio 🇪🇸 becomes the European U20 3000m steeplechase champion in #Jerusalem2023! pic.twitter.com/IuTXUvJJu7
Sara Winburg produced her best when it mattered most, clearing a personal best of 4.25m to win the women’s pole vault. It was Sweden’s fifth gold medal, a record haul for the Scandinavian nation at the European Athletics U20 Championships.
Lithuania’s Rugilė Miklyčiūtė and Great Nnachi of Italy shared silver with 4.15m. For Miklyčiūtė it was a particularly good performance, also landing her an outright national record.
Chris Broadbent for European Athletics