Report: Galà dei Castelli in Bellinzona
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At the Galà dei Castelli in Bellinzona, an electrifying atmosphere enveloped the Stadio Comunale, packed with 6,032 spectators, who were treated to an exceptional display of athletic prowess. The event was marked by four new meeting records: Jasmine Camacho-Quinn dazzled in the women’s 100 meters hurdles with a time of 12.52, Gianmarco Tamberi soared to 2.27 meters in the men’s high jump, Alexander Ogando sprinted to a 20.19 finish in the men’s 200 meters, and Gabriel Tual dominated the men’s 800 meters in 1:43.98. Additionally, standout performances included Sasha Zhoya's stunning upset over Grant Holloway in the 110 meters hurdles, Ryan Crouser's commanding victory in the men's shot put with a throw of 22.25 meters, and Audrey Werro setting a new Swiss record in the women's 800 meters with a time of 1:57.76.
Women’s 100 metres hurdles:
Olympic bronze medallist Jasmine Camacho Quinn won for the second consecutive edition of the Galà dei Castelli improving her own meeting record by 0.4 to 12.52. The Puerto Rican hurdler won her fourth race on Swiss soil after Lucerne (12.41), Lausanne (12.36) and Zurich (12.35). She edged Olympic finalist and NCAA champion Grace Stark (12.54). European silver medallist Ditaji Kambundji took third place in 12.82 ahead of Pia Skrzyszowska from Poland (12.94).
Men’s 110 metres hurdles:
European under 23 champion Sasha Zhoya from France won the men’s 110 metres hurdles in 13.22 holding off Olympic gold medallist Grant Holloway (13.23). Cordell Tinch finished a distant third in 13.54.
Sasha Zhoya: “I am proud that I was able to beat Holloway for the first time in my career. He has always been my role model."
Men’s shot put:
Three-time Olympic champion Ryan Crouser won the men’s shot put for the second time in his career in Bellinzona with 22.25m in the fourth round, missing his own meeting record by three cm. Crouser backed up this mark with a second best throw of 22.12m in the sixth roumd. Payton Otterdahl took second place with 21.61m in the fourth round. European champion Leonardo Fabbri threw to 21.36m in the third round ahead of Italy’s Nick Ponzio (21.09m) and two-time world champion Joe Kovacs (21.07),
Ryan Crouser: “I thank the crowd for the support. I want to come back next year."
Men’s 100 metres:
World indoor bronze medallist Ackeem Blake stormed to a win in the men’s 100 metres in 9.96 ahead of three-time Olympic finalist Akani Simbine (10.04), Emmanuel Eseme from Cameroon (10.11) and 2021 Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs (10.12).
Men’s high jump:
Reigning world and European champion Gianmarco Tamberi won the men’s high jump setting the meeting record with 2.27m. Tamberi needed three attempts at 2.20m before clearing 2.24m in his first attempt. The 2021 Olympic champion cleared 2.27m at the second time of asking before failing three attempts at 2.30m.
Oleh Doroshchuk from Ukraine had a clean sheet until 2.24m before failing two attempts at 2.27 and one try at 2.30m. Italian jumper Manuel Lando placed third with 2.20m beating Olympic fourth placer Stefano Sottile and world under 20 silver medallist Matteo Sioli on countback.
Mutaz Barshim pulled out from the competition due a small injury.
Gianmarco Tamberi: “I took part in many meetings, but this event is very special for me. I struggled a bit at the start of the competition It was too cold to achieve big heights."
Men’s 400 metres hurdles
Olympic fourth placer Clement Ducos won the men’s 400 metres hurdles breaking the 48 seconds for the fifth time this season with 47.96. Alison Do Santos, winner in Bellinzona in 2022 and 2023, finished second in 48.76.
Nick Smidt from the Netherlands won the B race in 48.74 ahead of Wilfried Happio from France (49.21).
Clement Ducos: “It was a great season. I am happy with my results this year. The stadium and the atmosphere are very nice. Next year will be easier as I have finished my studies at the University in the USA I will become a professional athlete and I can focus on athletics."
Men’s 800 metres:
European champion Gabriel Tual from France won the men’s 800 metres setting a meeting record of 1:43.98. Luke McCann from Ireland finished second in 1:45.33.
Women’s 800 metres:
European under 20 champion Audrey Werro broke Selina Buchel’s Swiss record with 1:57.76. USA’s Addison Wiliey second with 1:59.23 ahead of three-time European silver medallist Renelle Lamote from France (2’00”09).
Audrey Werro: “I was ready to break the Swiss record. I prepared for that. Bellinzona has a good track. I started my season late because I was injured."
Women’s 100 metres:
Tamari Davis broke the 11 seconds to win the women’s 100 metres in 10.97 ahead of European 200 metres champion Mujinga Kambundji (11.14) and former world under 18 and under 20 champion Candace Hill (11.21).
Tamari Davis: “I am very proud to run a sub-11 time at the end of the season. The crowd was amazing. I am happy with win today. I love this track. Spectattors are so close to the action.'
Men’s 200 metres:
Alexander Ogando from Dominican Republic won the men’s 200 metres in 20.19 ahead of Canada’s Aaron Brown from Canada (20.49) and European bronze medallist William Reais from Switzerland (20.55).
Men’s 400 metres:
Bryce Deadmon from the USA claimed the men’s 400 metres in 44.76 ahead of Matthew Boling (45.30).
Isaya Kleinn Ikking from the Netherlands won the B race improving his PB to 45.28.
Women’s 200 metres:
US sprinter Anavis Battle won the women’s 200 metres in 22.58 ahead of double European 200 metres champion Mujinga Kambundji (22.59) and Julia Henrikson from Sweden (22.90).
Mujinga Kambundji: “I was tired after the end of a long season. I had no energy lef. It was a good year. I love competing in Bellinzona in front of my fans."
Women’s 400 metres:
Sharlene MMawdsley from Ireland topped the women’s 400 metres in 51.35.
Women’s pole vault:
European champion Angelica Moser won the women’s pole vault held on Sunday as a City Event in in Largo Zorzi on the shores of Lake Maggiore in Locarno on a rainy day. Moser cleared 4.30m in her first attempt, but she needed three attempts to clear 4.54m. The Swiss pole vaulter secured the win with a first-time clearance of 4.64m. She failed three attempts at 4.74m.
Sandi Morris, winner at last year’s edition of the City Event in Locarno, needed three attempts to clear the opening height of 4.30m. Morris vaulted 4.54m at the second time of asking before failing one attempt at 4.64m and two tries at 4.74m.
Angelica Moser: “It was very nice to compete in front of so many people despite bad weather. It was the best best year of my career.”
