CHORZOW, Poland (Junes) – The 2023 European Athletics Team Championships First Division witnessed some exciting displays in the women’s field event competitions on Friday (23), with Germany’s Kristin Pudenz, Italy’s Sara Fantini, and Portugal’s Auriol Dongmo clinching victories in their respective categories.
In the women’s discus throw, Olympic silver medalist Pudenz threw a strong season-best of 66.84 meters to secure the victory over her competitors, while outperforming Italy’s Daisy Osakue and France’s 2016 Olympic silver medalist Melina Robert-Michon, who finished second and third with throws of 64.35 meters and 64.21 meters, respectively.
The mark for Pudenz today was her fifth-best for her career, while Osakue was too far off her 64.57m personal best and national record, set earlier this month. – Read more: Femke Bol runs 49.82secs, sets record at European Athletics Team Championships
Sara Fantini Tops Women’s Hammer Field
Meanwhile, Fantini, the European bronze medalist, conquered the women’s hammer throw competition, recording a season-best equaling mark of 73.26 meters to pick 16 vital points for the team-title chasers.
The 25-year-old Italian, who finished fourth at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon last summer, delivered her best throw in the sixth and final round of competition, but she also had a throw of 73.02m in the first round.
Fantini defeated Finland’s 2021 World U20 champion Silja Kosonen, who finished seventh at the world championships last year, and Poland’s Olympic and world bronze medalist, Malwina Kopron, who threw 72.34 meters and 71.18 meters, respectively, for second and third place.
Auriol Dongmo Rallies To Win Shot Put
After trailing her German rival early in the competition, Auriol Dongmo fourth her form in the fourth round to heave 19.07 meters and win the women’s Shot Put title. Germany’s Yemisi Ogunleye took the lead with a second-round throw of 18.59m and then extended her lead with an 18.85m effort in the third round.
However, Dongmo, the World Indoor champion, dug deep into her reserves to produce the winning mark of 19.07m in round four to take the lead and ultimately seal the win.
Ogunleye secured second place with a throw of 18.85 meters, while Sweden’s Axelina Johansson threw 18.32 meters for third place.
Dutch European champion and world bronze medalist, Jessica Schilder, was fourth with a throw of 18.27m.
The victories of Pudenz, Fantini, and Dongmo significantly impacted the team’s standings at the time. After nine events, when the competition concluded, Italy led the scoreboard with 108 points, closely followed by Great Britain with 103 points. Portugal and Germany are tied for third place with 91 points each.
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