Joe Kovacs, Maria Żodzik Shine at Orlen Copernicus Cup 2026 World Athletics Indoor Tour Meeting

By Gary Smith - Lead Content Manager · February 22, 2026 · 12:03 pm

Two-time world champion Joe Kovacs of USA. (Photo: IAN STEPHEN)

Toruń, Poland (Feb. 22) — Two-time world champion Joe Kovacs of the United States captured the men’s shot put title, while home favorite Maria Żodzik prevailed in the women’s high jump as the Orlen Copernicus Cup wrapped up the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold series on Sunday.

Kovacs, a 2015 and 2019 world champion, produced a season-best throw of 21.92 meters in the first round of the competition to claim his first victory of the season after second-place finishes at the Millrose Games in New York and in Liévin earlier this month.

American teammate Roger Steen, the reigning World Indoor silver medalist, threw 21.62m in the third round for second, continuing a strong run that includes his world-leading 22.07m mark from the Belgrade Indoor Meeting. Italy’s European champion Leonardo Fabbri placed third with 21.43m, while Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi was fourth (21.22m) and Jamaica’s Olympic bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell finished fifth (21.07m).

In the women’s high jump, Żodzik delighted the home crowd with a winning clearance of 1.98m, securing her first circuit victory of the season. The three-time Polish champion had previously posted podium finishes but found her rhythm when it mattered on home soil.

Jamaica’s Commonwealth Games champion Lamara Distin matched her season best with 1.94m for second place, edging Ukraine’s Yuliya Levchenko on countback as the former World Championships silver medallist also cleared 1.94m.

The meeting in Toruń concluded this year’s Indoor Tour ahead of next month’s World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26.

Orlen Copernicus Cup Results

World Athletics Indoor Tour – A

Men’s Shot Put

Joe Kovacs (USA) – 21.92m
Roger Steen (USA) – 21.62m
Leonardo Fabbri (ITA) – 21.43m
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (NGR) – 21.22m
Rajindra Campbell (JAM) – 21.07m
Uziel Muñoz (MEX) – 20.33m
Konrad Bukowiecki (POL) – 20.18m

Women’s High Jump

Maria Żodzik (POL) – 1.98m
Lamara Distin (JAM) – 1.94m
Yuliya Levchenko (UKR) – 1.94m
Wiktoria Miąso (POL) – 1.85m
Paulina Borys (POL) – NM

Complete Results

Gary Smith - Lead Content Manager

Gary Smith is one of the leading writers for World-Track.org. He has over 20 years of running experience, as well as 12 years of coaching while covering several events, from the international to college level. Smith, who has covered events for publications such as Caribbean Net News, European Athletics, Cayman Net News, AFP, and Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), is also a frequent contributor of SportingAlert.com and TrackAlerts.com. Smith holds a degree in Communication and Journalism. Twitter | LinkedIn | News Break Writer