Bukowiecka, Britt and Kazimierska Shine at Irena Szewińska Memorial Gold Meeting
Olympic and European stars delivered a memorable evening of athletics at the Memorial Irena Szewińska, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting, in Bydgoszcz on Friday, May 29. Home favorite Natalia Bukowiecka thrilled the Polish crowd with victory in the women's 400 metres, while American hurdler Jamal Britt continued his outstanding season with another win in the men's 110m hurdles. Poland's Klaudia Kazimierska added to the home celebrations by breaking the four-minute barrier in the women's 1500m, as a series of world-class performances highlighted one of the premier stops on the Continental Tour circuit.
Women’s 400 metres:
Natalia Bukowiecka from Poland, European champion in Rome and Olympic bronze medallist in Paris in 2024, won the women’s 400 metres in 50.12 to the delight of Polish fans beating this year’s Tokyo Continental Tour Gold winner Mary Yemi John from Great Britain (50.86) and Helena Ponette from Belgium (51.80).
Men’s 110 metres hurdles:
Jamal Britt continued his great season by winning the men’s 110 metres hurdles final in 13.10 following his back-to-back victories in the Diamond League on Chinese soil in Keqiao and Xiamen, where he equalled his PB with the same time of 13.07. Kendry Menendez from Cuba placed second in 13.14 French hurdler Thomas Wilkes finished third in 13.43 edging his compatriot Romain Lecoueur and 2022 European champion Asler Martinez from Spain with the same time.
Jamal Britt: “I was not feeling 100%. I still felt jet lag after coming from China, so I did not quite now what I was capable of. But I felt good in the heats today, so I was optimistic before the final. I am pretty happy with the time, it is good to run consistently at this level. Bydgoszcz was where I ran the first European professional race of my career, so I have good memories from here and I will definitely come back if you invite me again. This year I am just trying to focus on my craft. The competition in the US is very hard in my event. My main goal is the Ultimate Championship. I have never run in major championships before, so I am very excited to see how it is going to be”.
Men’s pole vault:
European indoor champion Menno Vloon from the Netherlands cleared all heights at 5.42m, 5.62m and 5.72m on his first attempt to win the men’s pole vault Pedro Buaro from Portugal, Polish record holder Piotr Lisek and Ben Broeders from Belgium on countback.
Women’s 100 metres hurdles:
Luca Kozak from Hungary, European silver medallist in Munich 2022, stormed to a win in the women’s 100 metres hurdles in 12.66 edging 2024 European bronze medallist Pia Skrzyszowska (12.67). Olympic finalist Alaysha Johnson from the USA took third place in 12.75 ahead of Saara Keskitaalo from Finland (12.99).
Luca Kozak: “I expected a fast time. My training has been going really well. And my PB was 4 years old, so it was time to run faster. I am turning 30 this Monday and it is funny to set PBs at that age, but I feel I am in the best shape of my life. I am prepared to go faster. The main goal is the European Championships in August. The Ultimate Championship is almost a side quest, but of course it is in Budapest, so I would like to qualify for it, either directly or as a wild card. I think my win today gave me good ranking points”.
Pia Skrzyszowska: “I fought until the very end. It was a good first race. The qualifying heat was tough. I improved in the final; I was just a little short, but I know it’s just a matter of a few more races. I was calm; I feel comfortable. Warsaw is my next race; the last time I competed there was as a junior. I want to run well there. My family and friends will be there. I’m counting on the crowds, their support, and that it will carry me through.
Women’s 1500 metres:
Poland’s Klaudia Kazimierska just dipped under the 4 minutes barrier to win the women’s 1500 metres in 3:59.99. Kazimierska competes for the Oregon Ducks in he USA and finished 10th in the Olympic final in Paris 2024 with 4:00.12. She set a PB of 3:57.95.
Erin Wallace from Great Britain finished second in 4:04.01 holding off her compatriot Melissa Courtney Bryant (4.04.04).
Klaudia Kazimierska: “To be honest, I thought I’d be a little faster today; I just know that some of the other runners dropped out before the start. It’s going well—I feel good during training. I flew into Poland two days ago; the time difference affected me, but the race went well. The most important thing is that I feel relaxed and in control. Diamond League in Rome is in six days, and I hope the running conditions will be good. It’s supposed to be warm, but the race is late in the evening, so that should work in my favor—we’ll see, because the field is really strong in Rome.”
Women’s 800 metres:
Valentina Rosamilia won the women’s 800 metres in 2:00.73 becoming the second Swiss athlete to finish first at this meeting one year after Audrey Werro’s win in the 2025 edition. Nelly Jepkosgei from Barhein finished second in 2:00.94 ahead of Renelle Lamote from from France (2:01.13).
Valentina Rosamilia: “I was very focused before the race. There were many experienced girls in the field so from the beginning i tried to manage my energy well and keep my own pace. I’know i’m good shape right now. This race gave me a lot of confidence and confirmed that i’m moving in the right direction”.
Men’s 800 metres:
Ben Pattison from Great Britain, world bronze medallist in Budapest 2023, claimed the win in the men’s 800 metres in 1:45.58 ahead of Filip Ostrowski from Poland (1:46.21) and Henry Jonas from Great Britain (1:46.26).
Men’s 400 metres:
European under 23 champion Jonas Phijffers from the Netherlands won the men’s 400 metres in 45.04 beating Belgian 400m specialists Daniel Segers (45.31) and Dylan Borlée (45.87).
Men’s 1500 metres:
Croatian 800 metres record holder Marino Bloudek stepped up in distance to win the men’s 1500 metres in a PB of 3:38.52 holding off France’s Paul Anselmini (3:38.67), Carlos Saez from Spain (3:38.87) and Ireland’s Nick Griggs (3:38.92).
Women’s 400 metres hurdles:
Fatoumata Diallo from Portugal won the women’s 100 metres hurdles in 55.27 ahead of European under 23 champion Emily Newnham (55.46) and Elena Kelety from Germany (55.89 seasonal best).
Fatoumata Diallo: “It was a tough race. I am feeling great. This is not my fastest time, I have run 54.88 this year already, but there was a bit too much wind. But I am happy with the win and I am hoping to run more races this season and get better and better. The main objective is the European Championships. I want to run a PB there. It is a new experience for me here with the kids asking for pictures and autographs. I love the kids and I will be there for them.”
Men’s 400 metres hurdles:
Alaistair Chalmers from Great Britain won the men’s 400 metres hurdles in 48.71 ahead of Ismail Nezir from Turkey (49.01) and Assinie Wilson from Jamaica (49.09). Chalmers claimed his second straight victory this season after finishing first in Savona in a seasonal best of 48.64.
Alaistar Chalmers: “I knew that it was gonna be a hard race. I know that I am in great shape. To be competitive with these guys is a dream come true. I have been training hard. This is my second time racing in Poland. The crowd is great here and it is a pretty iconic track. It is always good to have young kids out here supporting the athletes”.
Men’s high jump:
Erik Portillo from Mexico cleared both heights at 2.20m and 2.24m on his third attempts to win the men’s high jump. Portillo claimed the world indoor silver medal with 2.30m in Torun becoming the first Mexican athlete to win a medal in a global championships. Mateusz Kolodziewski from Poland finished second with 2.20m beating Olympic fourth placer Stefano Sottile from Italy on count-back.
Men’s javelin throw:
Douw Smit from South Africa won the men’s javelin throw with 84.57m in the fifth attempt. Edis Matusevicius took runner-up spot with 81.62m ahead of Dawid Wegner from Poland (79.04m).
Douw Smit: I am happy with the personal best. After competing in Ghana a week and a half ago and not throwing like I should, redeeming myself and hitting a PB is awesome. My goal for the season is to break the national record, so hopefully I can get there. It’s my first time here and it’s great, the people and the stadium are amazing.”
Men’s javelin throw:
Sara Kolak from Croatia clinched the win the women’s javelin throw with 61.42m in the third attempt ahead of Nikol Tabackova from Czechia, who improved her PB to 59.21m.
Sara Kolak: “I have been training well. I know what I still need to work on technically. Now it is time for me to go back home and get better with more training. In competition, my main goal is to keep fighting on every attempt. As far as how far I want to throw this year, I will keep that goal to myself. The main Focus this year is to do well in the European Championships final, but the Ultimate Championship is a goal as well.”
Men’s 100 metres:
Dominic Kopek from Poland won the men’s 100 metres in 10.08 ahead of Sebastian Libura (10.44) in a national race.
