Werro’s Record Run Leads a Night of Fireworks at Memorial Irena Szewińska in Bydgoszcz
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The seventh edition of the Memorial Irena Szewińska in Bydgoszcz delivered a thrilling evening of elite athletics highlighted by five meeting records, with standout performances across middle-distance races, throws, and sprints. Swiss star Audrey Werro stole the show with a sensational national record in the women’s 800 metres, while top-tier clashes unfolded in the men’s shot put, hammer throw, and pole vault. As athletes gear up for major championships later this season, Bydgoszcz proved to be a key stage for fast times and fierce competition.
Women’s 800 Metres
Audrey Werro of Switzerland produced a dominant performance to win the women’s 800 metres, breaking her own national record with 1:57.25—an improvement on her 1:57.76 from Bellinzona in 2023. The 20-year-old, fourth at this year’s World Indoors, now ranks second on the 2024 world list. Morocco’s Assia Raziki, born in 2004, ran under two minutes again with 1:59.79, while Margarita Koczanova of Poland dipped under the mark for the first time with a personal best of 1:59.94.
Men’s Shot Put
American Payton Otterdahl notched his third consecutive victory with a winning mark of 21.59m, backed by four other throws over 21 metres. Roger Steen placed second with 21.39m, while Olympic finalist Chukwuebuka Enekwechi took third (21.27m), followed closely by Adrian Piperi (21.23m) and New Zealand’s Tom Walsh (21.13m).
Women’s 400 Metres
European champion Natalia Bukowiecka defended her title with a win in 50.44, outpacing Canada’s Lauren Gale (51.00 SB) and Puerto Rico’s Gabby Scott (51.33). Bukowiecka highlighted her strong finish despite a slightly slower curve section.
Men’s 800 Metres
Ireland’s Mark English broke his own national record with a commanding victory in 1:44.34. Croatia’s Marino Bloudek (1:44.74 PB) and Poland’s Filip Ostrowski (1:44.96 PB) completed an elite top three.
Men’s Hammer Throw
Olympic bronze medallist Mykhaylo Kokhan of Ukraine won with a fifth-round throw of 79.84m. Germany’s Merlin Hummel (79.31m) and Hungary’s Bence Halász (79.26m) rounded out the podium. US record holder Rudy Winkler (78.72m) and five-time world champion Paweł Fajdek (76.35m SB) followed.
Men’s Pole Vault
Chris Nilsen marked his return from injury with a clearance of 5.82m on his first attempt, claiming a fourth straight victory in Bydgoszcz. Piotr Lisek finished runner-up with 5.72m.
Men’s 1500 Metres
Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui kicked to a big personal best of 3:33.20, smashing the meeting record. Italy’s Federico Riva (3:33.79) and Ireland’s Cathal Doyle (3:34.67) completed a high-caliber podium.
Women’s 1500 Metres
Poland’s Weronika Lizakowska edged Australia’s Linden Hall in a thrilling finish, clocking 4:01.99 to Hall’s 4:02.11. The home crowd erupted as Lizakowska secured her biggest career win to date.
Women’s 100m Hurdles
Hungary’s Luca Kozák clocked 12.83 in a photo-finish with American Rayniah Jones, both recording the same time. Finland’s Saara Keskitalo was third in 12.92.
Men’s 400 Metres
Poland’s Maksymilian Szwed clocked 45.29 to win and break the meeting record. Johnnie Blockburger (45.78) and Belgium’s Dylan Borlée (46.05) completed the podium.
Women’s Shot Put
Sweden’s Fanny Roos won with a first-round throw of 19.20m, erasing one of the event’s oldest meeting records. Maggie Ewen of the USA followed with 19.10m in round two.
Men’s 110m Hurdles
Belgium’s Elie Bacari claimed victory in 13.43 ahead of South Africa’s Mondray Barnard (13.49) and Senegal’s Francois Louis Mendy (13.52), into a slight headwind of -0.4 m/s.
Women’s 3000m Steeplechase
Marwa Bouzayani of Tunisia broke the meeting record with a decisive win in 9:14.90. France’s Flavie Renouard (9:21.50) and Australia’s Cara Feain Ryan (9:22.01) followed in second and third.
Women’s 100 Metres
Oceania record holder Zoe Hobbs of New Zealand took the sprint crown in 11.43. Belgium’s Delphine Nkansa (11.50) edged Finland’s Lotta Kemppinen (11.50) for second in a photo finish.
