Preview: Bol, Ceh and Denny to headline the Fanny Blankers Koen Games in Hengelo
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A glittering lineup of global athletics stars is set to light up the Fanny Blankers Koen Games (FBK Games) in Hengelo on Monday, June 9. The World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting will feature reigning world 400m hurdles champion Femke Bol, discus titans Kristjan Ceh and Matthew Denny, and numerous Olympic and World medallists across the programme. With world-leading marks and fierce head-to-head clashes anticipated, Hengelo’s classic athletics event promises to deliver another memorable edition.
Women’s 400 metres hurdles:
Femke Bol returns to Hengelo, where she has previously triumphed twice over 400m flat — clocking 50.11 in 2023 and 50.02 in 2024 — and twice over 400m hurdles — 54.33 in 2021 and 53.94 in 2022. This will be Bol’s second hurdles outing of the season after a 52.46 victory in Rabat’s Diamond League. Fresh off European Indoor relay golds on home soil in Apeldoorn, Bol will face Louise Maraval (FRA) and Cathelijn Peeters (NED), European silver and bronze medallists, alongside Lina Nielsen (GBR), Cassandra Tate (USA), and others.
Men’s discus throw:
A titanic showdown awaits between Olympic bronze medallist Matthew Denny (AUS), who recently set an Oceanian record of 74.78m (2nd all-time), and Kristjan Ceh (SLO), European champion with three throws beyond 72m this season, peaking at 72.36m. They will be joined by Roja Stona (JAM), Lawrence Okoye (GBR), Fredrick Dacres (JAM), Sam Mattis (USA), and top Dutch throwers Shaquille Emanuelson (69.65m NR) and Ruben Rulvink (66.12m).
Women’s shot put:
Two-time world champion Chase Jackson (USA), current world leader at 20.54m, faces Dutch hero Jessica Schilder, who holds a 20.69m national record and recently won her first Diamond League event. Also in the field are Maggie Ewen (USA), Danniel Thomas Dodd (JAM), and Fanny Roos (SWE).
Women’s high jump:
Nicola Olyslagers (AUS), world indoor champion and two-time Olympic silver medallist, leads with a season’s best of 2.01m. She faces Dutch contender Britt Weermann, returning from injury.
Women’s 100 metres hurdles:
Dutch record holder Nadine Visser (12.43), silver medallist at both the European Indoors and Rabat Diamond League, takes on Marione Fourie (RSA), Pia Skrzyszowska (POL), and Celeste Mucci (AUS).
Women’s 400 metres:
Dutch indoor champion Lieke Klaver will face Natalia Kaczmarek (POL), Olympic bronze medallist, alongside Anavia Battle (USA) and Torrie Lewis (AUS).
Men’s long jump:
Liam Adcock (AUS), with an 8.34m PB and Diamond League win in Rome, duels with Carey McLeod (JAM), whose PB stands at 8.40m.
Men’s 110 metres hurdles:
Cordell Tinch, now equal 4th all-time with 12.87, will clash with Daniel Roberts (USA) and Olympic champion Omar McLeod (JAM).
Men’s pole vault:
A world-class pole vault includes Ernest John Obiena (PHI), Chris Nilsen (USA), and KC Lightfoot (USA) — all 6.00m-plus vaulters.
Women’s 3000 metres steeplechase:
Peruth Chemutai (UGA), Olympic champion and recent 8:48.03 PB runner, leads the field against Daisy Jepkemei (BRN).
Women’s 800 metres:
A stacked 800m includes Anais Bourgoin (FRA, 1:57.81), Oratile Nowe (BOT), Abbey Caldwell (AUS), Catriona Bisset (AUS), and Claudia Hollingsworth (AUS).
Men’s 800 metres:
Dutch star Niels Laros, coming off a world U20 1000m record and 1500m national record (3:29.54), steps down to 800m to battle Mark English (IRL), Catalin Tecuceanu (ITA), Samuel Chapple (NED), Stefan Nillesen (NED), Tony Van Diepen (NED), and Jonah Koech (USA).
Men’s 100 metres:
Ronnie Baker (USA) opens his outdoor season against Yohan Blake (JAM), Benjamin Richardson (RSA, 9.86 PB), and Taymir Burnet (NED).
Men’s 400 metres:
Botswana’s Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, consistently sub-44.6 this season, faces Matheus Lima (BRA), Liemarvin Bonevacia (NED), and Jonas Phijffers (NED).
