World and European Indoor champion Marcell Jacobs made a winning start to his 2023 campaign after the Italian posted 6.57 seconds to win the men’s 60 meters at the Orlen Cup in Lodz – World Indoor Tour Bronze series meet in Poland on Saturday, 4 February.
Jacobs, who is injury free after a start-stop outdoor campaign last year, posted 6.61 seconds in the heats before returning to take the final 0.03 seconds ahead of home favorite Dominik Kopec in the final. Read more: [Video] Femke Bol sets 500m world best at New Balance Indoor Grand Prix
The podium spots were rounded out by Trinidad and Tobago’s Jerod Elcock, who clocked a time of 6.63 secs for third place, just ahead of Elijah Hall (6.64) of the USA, with American veteran Mike Rodgers sixth in 6.70.
Jacobs, who is the reigning European champion and area record holder with his personal best time of 6.41 secs, set to win the world title in Belgrade, Serbia, last March, will be aiming to defend his title later this year.
Ewa Swoboda, the 2019 European indoor champion, continued her solid early season by posting 7.14 seconds to win the women’s 60m. Swoboda, who owns a personal best of 6.99, ran 7.15 in the heats to secure a spot in the final.
Italy’s Zaynab Dosso was also credited with a time of 7.14 secs in the final, while Tristan Evelyn of Barbados completed the top three with a time of 7.20.
Exciting Polish hurdler and European outdoor champion, Pia Skrzyszowska ran a personal best of 7.78 seconds to win the women’s 60m hurdles.
Elsewhere at the 2023 Orlen Cup in Lodz on Saturday, Ernest John Obiena of the Philippines won the men’s pole vault with a clearance of 5.77m.
Two-time world outdoor champion Sam Kendricks finished second with 5.70m, the clearance as home favorite Piotr Lisek of Poland and Italian Claudio Stecchi.
Complete results here
