Records Fall at Czech Indoor Gala: Hailu, Crestan, and Molnár Shine in Ostrava

Posted by: Watch Athletics

The Czech Indoor Gala, a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting, in Ostrava delivered a night of thrilling performances on Tuesday, February 5, as top international stars showcased their early-season form with record-breaking feats. Ethiopia’s World Indoor 1500m champion Freweyni Hailu stole the show in the women’s 3000m, setting a new meeting record and world-leading time of 8:24.17. Belgium’s Eliott Crestan made history in the men’s 800m, breaking the 1:45 barrier for the first time indoors with a national indoor record of 1:44.69. Hungarian 400m specialist Attila Molnár continued his stunning indoor campaign by lowering his own national record to 45.08—just 0.03 seconds shy of the European indoor best. In the sprints, USA’s Ronnie Baker powered to a 6.50-second victory in the 60m, while Italy’s Mattia Furlani made his final competition as a teenager unforgettable, leaping to an 8.23m world-leading mark in the men’s long jump. The high-caliber meeting set the stage for an exciting indoor season ahead.

Women’s 3000 Metres

World indoor 1500m champion Freweyni Hailu of Ethiopia delivered a dominant performance in the women’s 3000 metres, setting a world-leading time of 8:24.17 in her season opener. Hailu shattered Hellen Obiri’s meeting record (8:38.81) by 14 seconds, signaling her strong early-season form. Portugal’s Salomé Afonso and Kenya’s Purity Gitonga both clocked personal bests, finishing in 8:39.25 and 8:39.36, respectively.

Freweyni Hailu: "I came to Ostrava with big expectations and aimed to improve my personal best. My entire indoor season preparation took place in Ethiopia, where I reached a new level in training. The pacemaker did a brilliant job, making it comfortable for me to achieve my goal tonight. I'm happy to have met the organizers’ expectations, set a meeting record, and become the world leader. With such a strong season opener, I hope to secure my spot on our national team for the World Indoor Championships."

Men’s 800 Metres

Belgium’s Elliott Crestan claimed victory in the men’s 800 metres, setting both a meeting record and a Belgian indoor record of 1:44.69—his first time breaking 1:45 indoors. Italy’s Catalin Tecuceanu placed second in 1:45.35, the second-best indoor time of his career and just 0.35 seconds shy of his national record. Algeria’s Slimane Moula finished third in 1:45.50, an impressive performance in his first indoor race.

Elliott Crestan: "I came to Ostrava aiming to break the national record, and I did it! It was a fast race, and I’m glad I had the strength to push through until the end. Running under 1:45 was my goal, but this time was a surprise for me since it was my first 800m race of the year."

Men’s Long Jump

Mattia Furlani made his last competition as a teenager unforgettable, equalling the world-leading mark of 8.23m in the fifth round. The Olympic bronze medallist renewed his rivalry with Bulgaria’s Bozhidar Sarabboyoukov, who finished second with 8.12m, a rematch of their European U20 Championship showdown, where Furlani edged him by just one centimeter. Sweden’s Thobias Montler, last week’s winner in Belgrade, placed third with 7.95m.

Mattia Furlani: "I changed a lot in my preparation. Last year, I put too much power into my jumps, but this competition felt different. I had some jumps over 8.50m-8.60m, so I know I can go very far this year. People say I have the potential to break the world record, and honestly, I believe I might be able to in a few years. For now, my focus is on the Tokyo World Championships, with the European and World Indoors as key stepping stones."

Men’s 400 Metres

Hungary’s Attila Molnár continued his sensational indoor season, breaking his own national record with 45.08—moving to No. 1 in the world rankings. Czechia’s Matej Krsek set a personal best of 45.85 for second place, followed by Patrick Enyingi (46.19) and Ricky Petrucciani (46.47).

Men’s Shot Put

Reigning European indoor champion Zane Weir delivered a commanding performance, winning the men’s shot put with a world-leading throw of 21.39m in the fourth round. Weir showed remarkable consistency, with five throws exceeding 21 metres (21.14m, 21.10m, 21.39m, 21.29m, 21.38m). Romania’s Andrei Toader broke his national indoor record with 21.21m for second place, while USA’s Roger Steen finished third with a season’s best 21.09m. Czech Republic’s Tomas Stanek (20.91m) and European outdoor champion Leonardo Fabbri (20.65m) rounded out the top five.

Zane Weir: "This was my third competition of the season, and I wanted to find my rhythm and build momentum. Last year was mentally tough with injuries, so now it’s about regaining consistency. I feel in fantastic shape, but technically I still have work to do. The competition for the Italian team at the World Indoors is fierce, but I’m ready for the fight—there’s no other option."

Women’s 60 Metres

Luxembourg’s Patrizia Van der Weken stormed to victory in the women’s 60m final, clocking 7.08, just 0.01 seconds off her world-leading time. World indoor silver medallist Ewa Swoboda opened her season with a strong 7.09 for second place, while Czech Republic’s Karolina Maňasová finished third in 7.19, ahead of Australia’s Torrie Lewis (7.23).

Patrizia Van der Weken: "I came close to my personal best and confirmed my stable form. I made some mistakes in the heats, which I corrected in the final. It’s great to maintain my position as the world leader, and I’m also happy to have set a European record for 50m—this gives us great insights into my maximum speed."

Men’s 60 Metres

USA’s Ronnie Baker, the 2018 World Indoor bronze medallist, secured his second consecutive World Indoor Tour Gold victory, improving his seasonal best to 6.50—a significant improvement from his 6.53 win in Belgrade last week. Cuba’s Reynier Mena set a personal best of 6.55 for second place, narrowly edging out Great Britain’s Romell Glave (6.56).

Ronnie Baker: "I struggled a bit with focus after the re-run in the heats, but I managed to reset and perform well in the final. My shape is improving with every race, and running 6.50 today is a great indicator of my progress."

Women’s 400 Metres

Defending champion Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands dominated the women’s 400m for a second consecutive year, setting a world-leading time of 50.92.

Lieke Klaver: "I expected to break 51 seconds in my opener. After a long post-season break, we had two productive training camps in South Africa. I usually use indoor races to prepare for outdoors, but with the European Indoors in my home country, I want to perform at my best there before setting my next big goal."

Attila Molnár: "It was an amazing race in front of an incredible crowd! I wasn’t feeling great before the start, so I was surprised by my time. Last year, I struggled emotionally, but I knew I had this performance in me. My next stop should be Liévin, but we’ll see."

Men’s 200 Metres

Sweden’s Erik Erlandsson, fourth at the European Championships, claimed victory in the men’s 200m, equalling both the world lead and his national record of 20.43.

Erik Erlandsson: "I had a great indoor build-up, and to match my PB so early in the season is fantastic. The track in Ostrava is fast, and I believe I can improve further once I adjust my back straight. My next race is likely the Swedish indoor nationals."

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