Hudson-Smith completes European 400m hat-trick as Kosonen, Zapletalová and Joseph win gold
Matthew Hudson-Smith thrilled the home crowd by winning his third consecutive European 400m title, while Silja Kosonen, Emma Zapletalová and Jason Joseph also struck gold on the third evening of the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
Hudson-Smith delivered one of the standout performances of the night, powering to victory in 44.17 seconds to complete a historic European title hat-trick. France’s Muhammad Abdallah Kounta secured silver in 44.40, while Jonas Phijffers took bronze with a Dutch national record of 44.41.
Only one hundredth of a second separated silver and bronze, with Jonas Phijffers crossing in 44.41 to set a Dutch national record. Hungary’s Attila Molnár placed fourth in 44.55, while Germany’s Jean Paul Bredau completed the top five in 44.93.
Kosonen dominates women’s hammer final
Silja Kosonen produced a convincing performance to capture the women’s hammer throw crown for Finland.
Kosonen moved into the lead with 74.97m in the second round before extending her advantage to a winning 76.28m with her third attempt. She also closed the competition with 75.47m, giving her three throws beyond the best achieved by any of her rivals.
Italy’s Sara Fantini secured silver with an opening-round throw of 74.35m, while Norway’s Beatrice Nedberge Llano earned bronze with 72.88m.
Polish legend Anita Wlodarczyk narrowly missed another major medal, finishing fourth with 72.37m. Ireland’s Nicola Tuthill placed fifth with 70.33m, just ahead of Britain’s Charlotte Payne, who recorded 70.12m.
Zapletalová races to 400m hurdles gold
Emma Zapletalová claimed the women’s 400m hurdles title with an impressive 52.91-second performance.
The Slovak athlete was the only finalist to break 53 seconds, finishing comfortably ahead of Britain’s Emily Newnham. Newnham lowered her personal best to 53.33 to secure the silver medal.
Portugal’s Fatoumata Binta Diallo completed the podium in a national record of 53.55. Belgium’s Paulien Couckuyt equalled her personal best of 53.87 in fourth, while Italy’s Ayomide Folorunso placed fifth in 54.29.
Joseph wins tight hurdles showdown
Jason Joseph secured Switzerland’s gold medal in the men’s 110m hurdles, producing a season-best 13.12 in a closely contested final.
France’s Just Kwaou-Mathey remained within striking distance but had to settle for silver with his own season best of 13.16. Poland’s Jakub Szymanski took bronze in 13.26, equalling the season-best time he had recorded in the semifinals.
Thomas Wilkes placed fourth for France in 13.36, followed by Austria’s Enzo Diessl in 13.44 and another French finalist, Theo Pedre, in 13.46. Great Britain’s Samuel Bennett finished seventh in 13.62, with Cyprus’ Milan Trajkovic eighth in 13.87.
