Rising Stars Shine Bright: Record-Breaking Performances at the 2025 European U23 Championships
The 2025 European Athletics U23 Championships in Bergen, Norway, held from Thursday, July 17 to Sunday, July 20, marked a breakthrough moment for the continent’s next generation of elite athletes. Held at the Fana Stadium, the meet saw a record twelve championship records fall as young stars from across Europe delivered world-class performances. From Henriette Jaeger’s historic sub-50 second 400m on home soil to Niels Laros’s ambitious middle-distance double, and from Saga Vanninen’s heptathlon masterclass to emerging field event talents, Bergen was a showcase of Europe’s future athletics icons in full flight.
Henriette Jaeger (Norway – Women’s 400m & 200m)
Norway’s Henriette Jaeger made history by becoming the first woman to break the 50-second barrier at the European U23 Championships, clocking 49.74 to win the 400m. She smashed a 20-year-old championship record by nearly a full second and came just 0.12 shy of her national record. Jaeger also earned silver in the 200m (22.78), narrowly beaten by Great Britain's Success Eduan (22.74), who later anchored her country to gold and a championship record in the women’s 4x100m (42.92).
“I like being the local face of these championships. In the 400m I was surprised by my time — I didn’t think I ran that fast,” said Jaeger.
Niels Laros (Netherlands – 800m & 5000m)
Dutch sensation Niels Laros dominated in Bergen, capturing gold in both the 800m (1:44.36) and 5000m (13:44.74). Fresh off his national mile record at the Prefontaine Classic, Laros showcased versatility and tactical brilliance. He had earlier run 1:44.19 in the heats, where Italy’s Francesco Pernici set a new championship record (1:44.06) before finishing fourth in the final.
“This combination is unique — I like to challenge myself,” said Laros. “Fighting for world medals is the next step.”
Stefan Nillesen & Maciej Megier – 1500m and Steeplechase
Stefan Nillesen defended his 1500m title (3:44.87) but missed a double after placing second in the steeplechase. Poland’s Maciej Megier won gold in a championship record of 8:20.17, with the top four finishing under the previous record.
Owe Fischer Beiholz (Germany – 400m Hurdles)
Germany’s Beiholz broke Karsten Warholm’s 2017 meet record by running 48.37 in the 400m hurdles.
“That was definitely the best day of my sport career so far,” said Beiholz.
Audrey Werro (Switzerland – 800m)
Swiss star Audrey Werro added the U23 crown to her U20 accolades, winning the 800m in a championship record of 1:57.42.
“The race went as planned. I tried to go faster and faster all the time,” said Werro.
Jonas Phijffers (Netherlands – 400m)
Phijffers stormed to gold in 44.82, breaking both the championship and Dutch U23 records.
Emily Newnham (Great Britain – 400m Hurdles)
Newnham clocked 54.08 in the 400m hurdles and anchored Britain’s victorious 4x400m relay (3:26.52), both championship records.
Angelina Topic (Serbia – High Jump)
Topic cleared 1.95m to claim gold and complete her sweep of European U18, U20, and now U23 titles.
“It was my secret wish to win every age group title — now I have,” she shared.
Adriana Vilagos (Serbia – Javelin)
Vilagos secured Serbia’s second gold with a 62.41m throw, adding to her two world U20 titles and Munich 2022 silver.
Matteo Sioli (Italy – High Jump)
Sioli cleared 2.30m for gold, continuing a breakout season after medals in Lima and Apeldoorn.
“Tamberi is my idol — step by step I want to reach senior level,” said Sioli.
Simone Bertelli (Italy – Pole Vault)
Bertelli soared to a PB of 5.70m to win, two years after his U20 title in Jerusalem.
Alexandrina Mihai (Italy – 10,000m Walk)
Mihai claimed gold in 43:49.55 after bouncing back from a difficult 2023 season.
“I changed my mindset completely. I had fun — that’s most important,” she said.
Saga Vanninen (Finland – Heptathlon)
Vanninen defended her title with a European U23 record of 6563 points, including PBs in the 100m hurdles and 800m. She also set a new Finnish record.
Erwan Konaté (France – Long Jump)
Konaté leapt to 8.25m for a national U23 record and gold. Bulgaria’s Bohidar Saraboyukov took silver with 8.21m.
Jeff Erius (France – 100m)
Erius clocked 10.28 into a stiff headwind and helped France win the 4x100m in a championship record of 38.43.
Steven Richter (Germany – Discus)
Germany swept the podium with Richter winning gold (64.67m) ahead of Sosna and Karges.
Nina Chioma Ndubuisi (Germany – Shot Put)
Ndubuisi led a German podium sweep with a throw of 17.73m.
“To sweep the podium — that’s the dream,” she said.
Alien Kuhn (Germany – Hammer Throw)
Kuhn set a PB and European U23 lead of 72.53m to beat Nicola Tuthill and Valentina Savva.
Iosif Kesidis (Cyprus – Hammer Throw)
Kesidis threw a national U23 record of 74.87m to win gold.
“This is a very big achievement for me,” said Kesidis.
Enzo Diessl (Austria – 110m Hurdles)
Diessl won gold in 13.46 into a headwind, adding to his U20 title. He later improved to 13.17 in Eisenstadt.
Alicia Sjelska (Poland – 100m Hurdles)
Sjelska continued Poland’s tradition in the event, winning in 12.91.
Karolina Manasova (Czech Republic – 100m)
Manasova triumphed in 11.30, holding off Britain’s Nia Wedderburn-Goodison.
Ilona Mononen (Finland – 3000m Steeplechase)
Mononen claimed gold in 9:30.42, adding to her U20 and European Team titles.
Maria Forero (Spain – 5000m)
Forero took gold in 15:43.44, supported by family and friends in Bergen.
“I aimed for gold — and this is what I achieved,” she said.
Anika Thompson (Ireland – 10,000m)
Thompson ran a national U23 record of 32:31.47 to become Ireland’s second-ever U23 champion.
“It was a dream to represent Ireland — I grew up visiting every summer,” said the Oregon-based runner.
Andrin Huber (Switzerland – Decathlon)
Huber tallied 8188 points, including PBs in javelin and pole vault, to win gold.
“This was my only goal — I’m so proud it all came together,” said Huber.
