Tsegay Clocks Second-Fastest 1500m Time in History at Copernicus Cup
The Copernicus Cup in Torun on Sunday, February 16, delivered thrilling performances across multiple disciplines, with Ethiopian star Gudaf Tsegay producing the highlight of the event. The two-time world outdoor champion won the women’s 1500 metres in a stunning world-leading time of 3:53.92, the second-fastest indoor performance in history, narrowly missing her own world indoor record. The competition also saw standout victories from Italy’s Mattia Furlani in the men’s long jump, Zaynab Dosso in the women’s 60 metres, and Henriette Jaeger’s Norwegian record-breaking 400m run.
Tsegay’s Dominant 1500m Performance
Gudaf Tsegay reaffirmed her dominance in the women’s 1500 metres, clocking 3:53.92 to set a world lead and improve her own meeting record of 3:54.77 from 2022. She finished just 0.83 seconds short of her world indoor record (3:53.09) set in Liévin in 2021. Following the race, Tsegay revealed that she had been recovering from flu, which affected her recent performance in Liévin. Her compatriot, world U20 champion Birke Haylom, finished second in 3:59.92, while Worknesh Mesele completed an Ethiopian podium sweep with a season’s best of 4:02.19.
Furlani Outduels Tentoglou in Men’s Long Jump
Italy’s Mattia Furlani secured his second World Indoor Tour Gold victory in the men’s long jump with a world-leading mark of 8.37m on his sixth attempt. The 20-year-old edged out Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou, marking his first victory over the Greek athlete, who settled for second place with 8.03m. Furlani, who already led the world rankings this season with 8.23m, also surpassed the meeting record previously held by Thobias Montler.
Italian Success in Women’s 60m Dash
Zaynab Dosso continued Italy’s dominance in Torun, winning the women’s 60 metres in 7.05, just 0.03 seconds shy of her national record. She secured her second World Indoor Tour victory of the season, holding off Swiss sprinter Mujinga Kambundji (7.07) and Poland’s Ewa Swoboda (7.10).
Nugent Maintains Winning Streak in 60m Hurdles
Jamaican sprint hurdler Ackera Nugent secured another victory in the women’s 60 metres hurdles, equalling the meeting record with 7.79. Coming off a world-leading 7.75 performance in Liévin just three days prior, Nugent edged European indoor champion Ditaji Kambundji, who improved the Swiss record to 7.81. Nadine Visser (7.82) and Pia Skrzyszowska (7.87) rounded out the top four.
Chase Jackson Impresses in Women’s Shot Put
Double world outdoor champion Chase Jackson won the women’s shot put with a personal best and meeting record of 20.24m in the first round, adding three centimetres to her own US indoor record. Jessica Schilder (20.01m) and Sarah Mitton (19.69m) completed the podium.
Fabbri Continues Dominance in Men’s Shot Put
Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri claimed back-to-back World Indoor Tour Gold victories in the men’s shot put, throwing 21.62m. He led an Italian 1-2 with Zane Weir finishing second (21.13m), while Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi placed third (21.13m) on countback.
Jaeger Breaks Norwegian Record in 400m
Norwegian sprinter Henriette Jaeger stunned the field in the women’s 400m, clocking a national record and world lead of 50.44. Gloria Lurdes Manuel (51.15) and Lada Vondrova (51.47) followed in second and third.
Other Notable Results
- Women’s 800m: World indoor champion Tsige Duguma secured victory in 2:00.04, finishing ahead of Habitam Alemu (2:00.61) and Anna Wielgosz (2:01.05).
- Men’s 1500m: Elliot Giles of Great Britain won in 3:35.43, bouncing back from a tough race in Liévin. Biniam Mehary (3:35.70) and Samuel Pihlström (3:36.06) completed the podium.
- Men’s Pole Vault: Ernest John Obiena cleared 5.80m to win, defeating Piotr Lisek and Sondre Guttormsen on countback.
- Men’s 60m Hurdles: USA’s Louis Rollins claimed his first gold-level win in 7.59, beating Poland’s Krzystof Kiljan (7.65).
- Men’s 800m: Catalin Tecuceanu (1:46.97) took victory in a tactical race.
- Women’s Pentathlon: Poland’s Paulina Ligarska won with 4500 points, edging Adrianna Sulek Schubert (4458 points).
