Kristjan Čeh Advances to European Discus Final in Birmingham

Kristjan Čeh Clears Automatic Qualifying Mark in Birmingham

Kristjan Čeh opened his defense of the European discus title at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham by hitting the automatic qualifying mark on his very first attempt. The athlete recorded a throw of 67.52 meters, placing him second overall in the qualifying standings.

Only Lithuania’s Mykolas Alekna surpassed Čeh in the opening round. The world record holder posted the top qualifying mark with a throw of 67.74 meters. In the second qualifying group, three-time world champion Daniel Stahl of Sweden led his flight with a mark of 63.95 meters. Together, Čeh, Alekna, and Stahl enter the medal round as the clear favorites for the podium.

Kristjan Čeh stated via Rtvslo and Dnevnik that recent competitions had consistently featured completely unexpected surprises from competitors coming from behind, adding that he personally left some room for improvement after the qualifications.

Kristjan Čeh, via Rtvslo and Dnevnik

Neja Filipič Reaches Triple Jump Final as High Jumpers Exit

While Čeh advanced smoothly, Slovenia’s contingent experienced mixed results across the field events. Neja Filipič advanced to the triple jump final scheduled for the evening session.

In the women’s high jump qualifications, Lia Apostolovski finished 16th overall with a clearance of 1.88 meters, missing out on a spot in the final. Apostolovski previously won a bronze medal at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow two years prior. Joining her in the high jump was championship debutant Ela Velepec, who finished 27th with a best clearance of 1.84 meters.

Lia Apostolovski noted via Rtvslo that she had nothing to reproach herself for, explaining that she had jumped confidently at all heights, including the final one, while feeling she also lacked a little bit of luck, and expressing her happiness at returning to such results after all the difficulties of the year and jumping at the European Championships at a height that represented her best of the season.

Lia Apostolovski, via Rtvslo

The automatic qualifying standard for the high jump final was set at 1.91 meters.

Ela Velepec shared via Rtvslo that she had experienced quite a bit of stage fright, noting that at the start of the season competing against the best in August had been merely a wild dream, and mentioning that the crowd provided great energy, while seeing her idols made her realize that this was serious athletics and it was a pleasure to jump, though she lacked confidence above 1.84 meters due to not having much experience yet at those heights.

Ela Velepec, via Rtvslo

Evening Schedule and Medal Bouts in Birmingham

The competition shifts to medal events during the night program at the stadium. Filipič takes to the runway for the triple jump final, while Čeh steps into the throwing circle later in the evening to contest the discus gold.