Angelina Topic win European Athletics U20 Championships in high jump

Posted : 10 August 2023

Angelina Topic accomplished the first part of her ambitious double jumps feat by securing victory in the women's high jump at the European Athletics U20 Championships in Jerusalem on the evening of Wednesday (9).

Throughout the competition, the Serbian athlete exhibited flawless form, effortlessly clearing every bar without a single failure in both the qualifying rounds and the final. She comfortably sailed over her initial height of 1.80m and continued her success with clearances at 1.86m, 1.88m, and 1.90m.

Elisabeth Pihela, the bronze medalist from 2021, managed to keep pace with Topic, achieving a second-time clearance at 1.88m. However, Pihela's competition ended at 1.90m, leaving Topic as the undisputed champion and adding another title to her collection after winning the European U18 Championships last year.

Germany's Joana Herrmann secured the bronze medal through a countback, having reached a height of 1.86m. Despite her achievement, Topic's focus now turns to the long jump final scheduled for 9:15 am local time on Thursday (10), where she will aim to continue her pursuit of double gold.

Topic shared her excitement about the challenge of participating in two events and expressed gratitude for the support of her coach, who is also her father, Dragutin, a former European champion and Olympian. Overwhelmed by her success, Topic mentioned her father's emotional reaction to her achievement.

In a thrilling hammer final, Max Lampinen of Finland unleashed an exceptional world U20 lead with a throw of 79.72m during the fifth round, securing the gold medal. Iosif Kesidis of Cyprus, aiming for a golden double following his teammate Valentina Savva's victory, held the lead with a second-round effort of 77.73m. However, Lampinen's performances in the final rounds secured his supremacy and earned him the gold medal, complementing his world U20 silver from the previous year. Kesidis claimed the silver medal, supported by a remarkable series of throws beyond 75 meters. Hungary's Miklós Cseko earned the bronze with a throw of 76.87m. Jovan Stranic of Serbia, the world U20 leader entering the final, finished fourth with a distance of 73.42m.

Lampinen, reflecting on his victory, remarked on the surprise he brought to his competitors, emphasizing his determination to win a medal and break his personal best.

Lurdes Gloria Manuel elevated her performance by clinching the gold medal in the women's 400m final, surpassing her silver medal from last year's European U18 Championships. As the Czech athlete surged ahead in the final stretch, Ashley Nemits of Great Britain and Northern Ireland attempted to challenge her. However, Manuel maintained her lead, winning with a time of 51.94.

Overjoyed by her victory, Manuel expressed her elation at becoming the European champion and revealed her commitment to securing the gold medal. Alexe Deau of France unexpectedly secured the silver medal with a personal best time of 52.53, while Myrte van Der Schoot of the Netherlands set a national U20 record of 52.85 to capture the bronze.

In the men's 400m, Denmark's Jónas Gunnleivsson Isaksen achieved an emotionally charged victory, dedicating his win to his mother, who passed away the previous year. Overwhelmed by the sentiment, Isaksen expressed his determination to fulfill his promise to his mother. Maksymilian Szwed, the pre-race favorite, initially led the race but ultimately took the bronze, while Charlie Carvell of Great Britain secured the silver with a strong finish.

Italy's Simone Bertelli secured the gold medal in the men's pole vault with a height of 5.40m, determined by countback. Valentin Imsand of Switzerland, last year's European U18 silver medalist, earned the silver medal. Erdem Tilki of Türkiye set a national U20 record of 5.30m to claim the bronze.

Angelina Topic win European Athletics U20 Championships in high jump

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