On May 2-3, the Lithuanian Throwing Championship took place in Palanga. There was no shortage of fierce battles, resounding victories and sensitive moments. Andrius Gudžius, who triumphed in the adult discus throw sector, supported his eponymous son, who had a record performance in the junior championship, and the discus thrower Eglė Baranauskienė (formerly. Zarankaitė) hung a gold medal for the baby. At that time, the young country’s athletics stars took important steps towards the European Championships.
From generation to generation
Perhaps the most anticipated moment of the championships was the clash between A. Gudžius and Martynas Alekna. This time, the track and field athletes, who are constantly making the name of Lithuania famous, went hand in hand in the sector, but in the end A. Gudžius, who has more experience, triumphed. He flew the tool with the best attempt of 64.52 m, while M. Alekna, who won the silver at that time, was exactly 62 m. The third place was taken by Mažvydas Paurys, who represented Lithuania in the Deaf Defolympic Games and won silver there – 56.19 m.
For A. Gudis, the joy was double – his son Andrius participated in the junior competition (under 16 years old), where he achieved the best result of his career (41.50 m) and took third place. The young Gudžius was second only to Matas Žerlauskas (44.30 m) and Einoras Genčius (41.93 m).
At that time, Gabrielė Aleknaitė, a representative of the Aleknai dynasty, confidently triumphed in the junior category – she flew the discus as much as 44.57 m, improved her personal record (44.30 m), and overtook her nearest rival by more than 14 meters. In the overall standings with adults, seventeen-year-old Gabrielė’s result was fourth.
Eglė Baranauskienė (ex. Zarankaitė), who also set a personal record of 51.40 m. It is symbolic that Eglė, who recently had a son and did not compete in the sector for some time, won the victory on Mother’s Day, so the discus thrower gave the gold medal to her offspring. Silver was won by Paulina Stuglytė (49.74 m), bronze by Sonata Rudytė (48.87 m).
Among the best in Europe
In the championship, not only personal records fell, but also important norms. Young discus throwers Gintarė Minevičiūtė and Viktorija Urbelytė fulfilled the norm of the European Junior Championship (under 18 years old) – both threw the discus further than 40.50 m: Gintarė – 41.69 m, Viktorija – 41.07 m. The championships will take place in July in Rietis (Italy).
Meanwhile, javelin thrower Orinta Navikaitė, who won bronze last year at the European Youth Championship (under 20 years old), is decisively moving towards the adult championship – in Palanga she flew the furthest tool in her career (56.63 m) and collects important ranking points. Already on May 8. Orinta is also waiting for the World Athletics bronze round competition in the Czech Republic, where the track and field athlete can further strengthen her chances of competing in Birmingham (United Kingdom) in August.
