Thrilling Performances and World-Class Results at the Paavo Nurmi Games 2025
The 2025 edition of the Paavo Nurmi Games delivered an electric atmosphere and exceptional performances across the board in Turku, Finland, on June 17. As a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting, the event drew top-tier global talent in throwing, sprinting, hurdling, jumping, and middle-distance disciplines. Highlights included a dramatic showdown in the men’s discus, multiple performances beyond 70 metres, sub-13-second hurdles, and a strong display of consistency from elite European and international stars just weeks ahead of national and continental championships.
Men’s Discus Throw
Slovenia’s Kristjan Čeh, the 2024 European champion and 2022 world gold medallist, came within one centimeter of Daniel Ståhl’s meeting record with a second-round throw of 70.61m to win the men’s discus. Čeh added throws of 68.08m and 67.00m and earned his fourth 70m+ victory of the season.
Olympic bronze medallist Matthew Denny of Australia placed second with 70.52m, while Sweden’s world champion Daniel Ståhl took third with a season’s best of 70.19m.
Kristjan Čeh: “It was a crazy competition with three throwers over 70m. I didn’t know I was 1cm short of Daniel’s stadium record—maybe that’s for next year. The winter prep paid off, and now I’ll compete in Jöhvi and Slovenia for the European Team Champs before a short break.”
Women’s Hammer Throw
World and Olympic champion Camryn Rogers from Canada dominated with a best throw of 74.59m in round four, also registering 74.03m and 74.11m.
Silja Kosonen of Finland delighted the home crowd with 73.21m for second, edging USA’s Janee Kassanavoid (73.18m).
Camryn Rogers: “The Paavo Nurmi Games is one of my favorite meets—everyone loves hammer here! I’ll head to Kuortane next, then Prefontaine Classic after a short break.”
Women’s 100m Hurdles
European indoor record holder Ditaji Kambundji claimed victory in 12.66, narrowly beating Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska (12.68). Italy’s Giada Carmassi was third in 12.81 just two days after breaking the national record in Stockholm.
Kambundji: “We had two races today, which is great at this point in the season. The final was executed perfectly. Now I head to Madrid for the European Team Championships.”
Men’s Long Jump
Italy’s Mattia Furlani, world indoor champion and Olympic bronze medallist, soared to 8.11m (+0.9 m/s) in the fifth round, adding an 8.02m opener and a massive but foul sixth attempt. Liam Adcock (8.05m) and Tajay Gayle (7.97m) followed.
Furlani: “The win was the priority today. My final jump was huge—just a foul. This season’s consistency is key for the World Champs.”
Women’s 800m
Audrey Werro of Switzerland earned her second Continental Tour Gold win with a 1:59.39 finish, narrowly ahead of Anna Wiegosz (1:59.55), Sage Hurta-Klecker (1:59.58), and Assia Raziki (1:59.92).
Werro: “I wanted a clean race without hugging the pacer. Now it’s Madrid, then the European U23 Champs in Bergen—where I want gold.”
Men’s 3000m Steeplechase
Germany’s Frederick Ruppert clocked 8:10.39 to defeat countryman Karl Bebendorf, who improved his PB to 8:11.52. Ruppert recently broke the national record (8:01.49) in Rabat.
Ruppert: “Training was tough in the German heat, so this result feels special. Next up: 5000m in Madrid, to test myself on the flat.”
Men’s 110m Hurdles
American Dylan Beard took the win in a season’s best of 13.16, ahead of Poland’s Jakub Szymański (13.36 SB).
Beard: “It’s been my best season so far in terms of consistency. After Ostrava, it’s time to lock in for the U.S. Trials.”
Women’s 100m
Zoe Hobbs of New Zealand clocked 11.07 for the win, meeting the World Championships qualifying standard. Hungary’s Boglárka Takács (11.11) and Thelma Davies of the U.S. (11.14) rounded out the podium.
Hobbs: “Finally a clean race. I’ve been inconsistent this season, but this one felt good. Ostrava is next.”
Men’s 100m
Romell Glave from Great Britain won in 10.08, edging Canada’s Jerome Blake (10.09) and Ghana’s Benjamin Azamati (10.10). European champion Marcell Jacobs opened his season with 10.44 for 8th.
Glave: “Redemption after Rome. This time I beat Jacobs. The dip was perfect. I’ll now look to race a 200m in July.”
Women’s Pole Vault
Belgium’s Elien Vekemans cleared 4.61m on her second try to secure victory and a new national record. Ayrin Imogen (NZL) was second on countback; Olivia McTaggart (NZL) and Gabriela Leon (USA) tied at 4.51m.
Vekemans: “This was a study break! I’m in exams and only competing in Madrid next. My second Belgian record this year—unreal.”
Women’s 1500m
Canada’s Gabriela Debues-Stafford returned to form with a strong 4:02.00 to win, beating Revee Walcott-Nolan (4:02.25) and Erin Wallace (4:03.59).
Debues-Stafford: “It’s my best time since 2022. I’m now focusing on the 1500m after qualifying in the 5k. Troyes next.”
Women’s 3000m Steeplechase
Tunisian record holder Marwa Bouzayani won her second straight Continental Tour Gold race with 9:19.46, following her Bydgoszcz win. Cara Feain-Ryan was second in 9:24.78.
Women’s High Jump
Morgan Lake of Great Britain cleared 1.91m cleanly to claim victory on countback over Jamaica’s Lamara Distin. Britt Weerman finished third with 1.88m.
Lake: “My first Gold win! I’ve jumped over 1.90m every year since 2013. Now the big goal: clear 2.00m—no British woman has done that yet.”
