The second day of the competition of I Division athletes in the European Athletics Team Championships Silesia 2023 at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów as part of the European Games brought a lot of emotions. The Polish national team enjoyed two victories. Pia Skrzyszowska was the fastest in the 100 meters hurdles and Wojciech Nowicki triumphed in the hammer throw. After two days of competition the Italians are clearly leading in the general classification – 294 points. The following places are occupied by: Poland – 258.5 points, Germany – 256.5 points, Great Britain – 243.5 points
– We have a strong team and we can win again, and I would like to contribute to that. I will definitely give my best – said Pia Skrzyszowska before the start.
It was a strong brick, because no rival could do it for Poland. Skrzyszowska won and gained the gold medal with a time of 12.77 seconds. The Dutch Nadine Visser (12.81) was second, and the French Laeticia Bapte (12.82) was third. The battle between these three athletes was very fierce. The Pole had to repel the attacks of her rivals. Ditaji Kambundji was previously disqualified. The Swiss made a false start.
– I am happy to score 16 points for the team and the best result of the season. The false start of the Swiss made me a little distracted. I had to cool down, calm down at the start. The first part of the distance was decent, then I knew I could catch up with my rivals and I did. Admittedly, after crossing the finish line, I wasn’t sure if I was first. I won and that’s what counts today the most – said Skrzyszowska.
Nowicki, who also won the gold medal in the hammer throw at the European Games, was also happy with the victory. The Pole did not give his rivals much of a chance. In the third attempt he reached 79.61 m and was definitely the best in the field. The Norwegian Thomas Mardal (76.50) was second, followed by Greek Michail Anastasakis (74.12).
– I wanted to throw as far as possible, it came out 79.61. Stable, but no fireworks. The feeling of the equipment is a bit lacking, but it happens. The most important is the set of points for the team. The result was secondary, but it was nice to throw in front of my own audience – said Nowicki.
Our sprinters did not disappoint either. The 4×100 m relay finished second. Marika Popowicz-Drapała, Monika Romaszko, Magdalena Stefanowicz and Ewa Swoboda achieved the time of 42.97 seconds, and the winner was the Netherlands with the best result in Europe this year (42.61 seconds).
– I am proud because this is our fourth result in history – said Popowicz-Drapała. And Swoboda added: the most important thing was to get the baton from Magda. It worked. I’m proud of us. It is worth noting that Swoboda won the 100 meters the day before.
Unfortunately, the men’s 4×100 m relay did worse. Mateusz Siuda, Dominik Kopeć, Przemysław Słowikowski and Łukasz Żok finished fifth, but in the end they had the sixth time (38.94 sec.). Germany was the fastest (38.34 sec).
A lot of points for Poland were scored by Robert Urbanek, who with the result of 61.97 m was third in the 1st Division in the discus throw (in total he was 8th in the European Games). On Saturday the furthest throw was made by the Swede Daniel Ståhl – 67.25 m.
– In practice throws it was good, I was throwing about 64.5 m. It’s a pity that it wasn’t so good in measured throws, but I’m happy because I scored a lot of points for our national team – Urbanek said.
It is also worth praising Emilia Kusy, who broke her personal record in the pole vault – 4.25 m. This gave her 10th place. The winner was Wilma Murto – 4.71 m. The Finn unsuccessfully attacked the competition record (4.75 by Anna Rogowska).
The personal best was also improved by Krzysztof Hołub, who ran the 400 m hurdles in 49.97 seconds and was ranked seventh. Italian Alessandro Sibilio won (48.14 – ETCH record).
– I am glad that I broke the 50-second barrier, I waited a year for it, although the run was jerky – said Hołub.
The other representatives of Poland did well as expected. Adrianna Laskowska was sixth in the triple jump (13.56 m). Filip Ostrowski seventh over 1500 m (3:38.80 min). Julia Korzuch was classified 10th in the 400 m hurdles (56.73 sec.). The 13th in the long jump was Mateusz Jopek (7.37 m, won by the Greek Miltiadis Tendoglu with the best result in Europe this season – 8.34). In the 800 m run Angelika Sarna finished 14th (2:03.97 min). The Swiss Audrey Werro had the best time, being the only one to run under two minutes (1:59.95).
Sunday will be the last day of the competition of athletes at the Silesian Stadium and also the last chance to cheer the White-Red team from the stands. The competition will start at 15.30 and in the evening, approx. 19, we will find out who will win the European Athletics Team Championship.
Source: Organiser's press releases
