Dosso and Charlton Set World Leads at Copernicus Cup in Toruń
The 2026 Copernicus Cup in Toruń, the final stage of the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold, delivered a thrilling afternoon of world-leading performances and national records on Sunday (22 February).
Women’s 60 Metres
European indoor champion Zaynab Dosso stormed to her second consecutive victory in Toruń, breaking her own Italian record by 0.02 seconds to clock 6.99 — a meeting record and joint world lead. Despite enduring three false starts before the final, Dosso showed remarkable composure to dip under seven seconds for the first time in her career.
Her 6.99 equalled the world seasonal lead set by Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred in Fayetteville. Earlier in the day, Dosso had comfortably won her heat in 7.04.
Patrizia Van der Weken of Luxembourg finished second with a lifetime best of 7.01, while Amy Hunt placed third in 7.04, missing Dina Asher-Smith’s British record by just 0.01. Poland’s Ewa Swoboda improved her seasonal best to 7.09.
Zaynab Dosso:
“Breaking seven seconds for the first time feels very special. It was very hard to run after three false starts and I didn’t expect to be so fast. Now I feel ready for the World Indoors. The competition will be tough — athletes from the USA, Jamaica, Bahamas and others will be there — but I am confident in my form.”
Women’s 60 Metres Hurdles
World indoor champion and world record holder Devynne Charlton produced a meeting record and world lead of 7.77 to edge world outdoor champion Ditaji Kambundji (7.78) in a superbly tight final.
Nadine Visser finished third in 7.80 ahead of Pia Skrzyszowska (7.82) and Alaysha Johnson (7.85), underlining the extraordinary depth in the event.
Devynne Charlton:
“It was a good race. The competition is very tough in our event. I know what I am capable of if I execute properly. I want to be the best ever. I’m not unbeatable — anyone can win — but I always chase victory and history. Now it’s back to training before tapering for the World Indoors.”
Men’s Shot Put
Two-time world champion Joe Kovacs opened his 2026 season with victory, launching 21.92m on his first attempt for a seasonal best. He added throws of 21.30m and 20.98m in the later rounds.
Roger Steen finished second with 21.62m, while Leonardo Fabbri took third with 21.43m just three days after winning in Liévin with 21.82m.
Joe Kovacs:
“I’ve never competed indoors in Europe before. I’m happy to win here. Poland has such a rich tradition in shot put — the crowd understands what 21 and 22 metres mean. I would love to return for the World Indoors, but qualifying in the USA is never easy.”
Men’s 60 Metres Hurdles
European indoor champion Jakub Szymański claimed his third World Indoor Tour victory of the season in 7.48, following wins in Ostrava and Belgrade.
Jamal Britt finished second in 7.52 ahead of Wilhelm Belocian (7.53).
Jakub Szymański:
“There was a false start which disrupted us, but I refocused and got the win. I want to stay unbeaten this indoor season. I believe I can break the national record — this was not my perfect race. The level at the World Indoors will be very high.”
Men’s 800 Metres
Belgium’s double world and European indoor medallist Elliot Crestan secured his third consecutive victory of the tour in 1:44.07, adding to wins in Ostrava and Liévin.
Maciej Wyderka finished second in 1:44.30 ahead of Filip Ostrowski (1:44.72). Jamaica’s Navasky Anderson improved the national indoor record to 1:44.75, while Isaac Nader and Marino Bloudek both set personal bests.
Elliot Crestan:
“I am very satisfied. After the false start I was able to focus and get the win. I want to stay unbeaten this season and continue improving. The World Indoors will be extremely competitive.”
Men’s 1500 Metres
Tshepiso Maselela of Botswana claimed victory in 3:32.55, setting a national record and edging Azeddine Habz by just 0.01 in a dramatic finish.
Six of the top seven athletes recorded personal bests, including Samuel Chapple (3:32.68), Samuel Philström (3:33.47), Mosisa Siyoum (3:34.28) and Pietro Arese (3:34.75).
Tshepiso Maselela:
“I have decided to race more 1500m this year. Indoor racing is difficult for me, but I came for the experience and I’m happy to win. I will not compete at the World Indoors — this was my only indoor race.”
Women’s 1500 Metres
European indoor champion Agathe Guillemot won in a personal best of 4:00.64, narrowly holding off Freweyni Hailu (4:00.67) in a thrilling sprint finish.
Birke Haylom finished third in 4:00.92 in another exceptionally deep race.
Agathe Guillemot:
“My goal was to win. It’s hard racing against so many Ethiopian athletes, but maybe they forgot about me. I focus on position rather than time. This gives me confidence heading into the World Indoors.”
Women’s 800 Metres
World indoor silver medallist Nigist Getachew improved her PB to 1:59.32 to win a high-quality race in which the top six athletes broke two minutes.
Anna Wielgosz (1:59.47) and Clara Liberman (1:59.50) also recorded personal bests.
Women’s 400 Metres
Emma Zapletalova secured the overall win in 50.90 after finishing second in her section, outperforming Natalia Bukowiecka (50.97).
Lurdes Gloria Manuel won the first section in 51.17 ahead of Lieke Klaver (51.35).
Emma Zapletalova:
“I did not expect to beat Natalia. I’m used to running from the middle lanes and chasing. Today I had to control the race differently. I am still mainly a hurdler, but I hope to reach the final at the World Indoors.”
Field Events Highlights
Men’s Pole Vault: Sondre Guttormsen cleared 5.85m to win the event and secure the World Indoor Tour title.
Women’s Long Jump: Larissa Iapichino won with 6.72m to top the Tour standings.
Women’s High Jump: Maria Zodzik cleared 1.98m for victory.
Women’s Pentathlon: Paulina Ligarska set a PB of 4,676 points to win by a single point over Abigail Pawlett.
