• Ruth Beitia bags another European gold as Latvia's Sirmais takes men's Javelin
Article source: Athletics
At age of 37 Spanish high jump star Ruth Beitia won her third straight European Outdoor Championships gold in Netherlands capital on Thursday July 7.
Defending champion Beitia cleared 1.98m a new season's best and world #3 for the win. Lithuania's Airine Palsyte and Bulgaria's Mirela Demireva shared silver as they both cleared 1.96m.
In the men's Javelin throw final, 24-year-old Zigismunds Sirmais of Latvia, who set world Junior Record of 84.69m in 2011, prevailed in the men's javelin final with a new personal best throw of 86.66m in round 5 over 2013 world champion Vitezslav Vesely of Czech republic who managed 83.59 in round 3 to take silver. Defending champion Antti Ruuskanen, who surprised with 88.23m throw in qualification rounds on Wednesday took bronze with a throw of 82.44m.
Meanwhile world season leader Thomas Rohler of Germany finished in disappointing 5th place with a throw of 80.78m.
Olympic and World Champion Greg Rutherford successfully defended his European long jump title with a leap of 8.25m becoming the first man in 54 years to retain European long jump title.
