The European Championship taking place in Birmingham (UK) is almost halfway through. On the third day of the championships, the star of runner Modesta Justė Morauskaitė shone the brightest, while discus thrower Ieva Gumbs missed the final by just 45 and Lukrecija Sabaitytė, who missed out on the semifinals, has no reason to be sad – in just a couple of weeks, her top-level debut awaits. Decathlete Edgaras Benkunskas also began his journey at the European championships on Wednesday.
Love That Moves Forward
One of the country’s most experienced runners, M. J. Morauskaitė , is participating in the European Championships for the fifth time. And once again successfully – this time in the 400 m heats, she completed the distance in 51.64 seconds, improving her personal best for this season by more than a second and confidently advancing to the semifinals. Among the 19 runners participating in the qualifiers, the Lithuanian athlete’s result was fifth. A total of 25 athletes will compete in the semifinals – 13 who passed the qualifiers and another 12 who advanced to the semifinals automatically.
Speaking about her performance, Modesta couldn’t stay still. “I am insanely happy! I arrived with immense self-confidence. The last training sessions showed that my form is very, very good. I knew I was ready to run for a very good result. I just had to believe in myself and show that belief on the path. I ran confidently, without any doubts, doubts, or any unconscious doubts about myself. I believed there would be a semifinal,” said the Lithuanian record holder.
When asked about the secrets of success, she mentioned not only the importance of psychological preparation but also the support of loved ones. One such person is Ernestas Leskauskas, her fiancé, the head of the sports club “Cosma,” who proposed to Modesta a few weeks ago. The runner in Birmingham showed the gathered journalists a shining ring on her finger and generously praised her beloved. “Ernestas supported me at every stage. Both when I was at a complete emotional and physical low, and when I was at the highest. Maybe sometimes you don’t even need to say anything – just be nearby, cuddle. He never stopped believing in me,” M. J. Morauskaitė smiled.
A crucial 45 centimeters and the search for answers
Slightly fewer smiles after the start in her fourth career at the European Championships adorned the face of discus thrower I. Gumbs . In the qualifying competition, she threw her best test tool 58.03 m and finished in 13th place. Twelve athletes reached the final. The last one to grab a ticket overtook Ieva by only 45 cm.
“All season long I threw over 60 meters… I truly believed I would succeed here as well. It didn’t work out. The opponents’ results are very high; all are well prepared. We should be glad that it wasn’t three Xs like the Moldovan representative, nor 54 m as in previous championships. Simply. Adrenaline still kicks in in such competitions, and it happens. What can you do… ” – explained I. Gumbs.
Sprinter L. Sabaitytė also did not hide her sadness. She completed the 200 m heats in 23.62 seconds. and did not make it to the semifinals. “I definitely haven’t shown what I was prepared for… Just before the competition, I ran 60 meters with my coach and felt amazing – I was running almost the fastest in my career. Earlier, when I had even less experience, I did even better in international competitions. Somewhere else lies this problem, and I can’t wait to talk to the coach (ed. Martas Skrabulis). Maybe it will somewhat bring you back to reality and explain what was wrong here? “Could it still be different?” – pondered L. Sabaitytė.
Still, there is no reason to be sad – on August 23, the athlete, together with Adas Dambrauskas, Gediminas Truskauskas, and Ema Rupšytė , will debut at a “Diamond League” stage in Poland. There, the quartet will run the mixed 4×100 m relay. “I have never had the chance to run a relay at a competition of this level before, and perhaps not again, so everyone is really looking forward to that start. Of course, there is much more responsibility within the team. There is more nervousness, but you can’t compare the emotions, which are four times stronger,” the sprinter summarized.
The decathlete E. Benkunskas also started his participation in the championship. On Wednesday, he completed the first five events: 100 m (11.27 seconds), long jump (6.90 m), shot put (14.85 m), high jump (1.93 m), and 400 m (50.29 seconds, matching his best result of the season). Having completed half the work, the athlete is in 20th place with 3912 points. When asked how he evaluates the results, the athlete did not hold back his criticism.
“I can honestly say – it’s not a good day. I won’t lie, I won’t pretend or look for any excuses. I didn’t manage to perform as I probably wanted. My body felt normal. I just couldn’t reform, that’s all. I tried not to give up, to start over in every event, to try, but when it doesn’t work out, it just doesn’t work… Tomorrow is a new day, and I will try even harder,” said E. Benkunskas, who had been battling the scorching 30-degree heat all day.
Photo by Alfredas Pliadis
