The second day of the European Championships, taking place in sunny Birmingham (UK), started very successfully for the Lithuanian team: all three discus throwers – Mykolas and Martynas Aleknos and Andrius Gudžius – reached the final, while runners Adas Dambrauskas and Gabija Galvydytė secured their places in the semifinals of the 100 m and 800 m events. The only one disappointed in himself was the high jumper Juozas Baikštys – the doors to the championship final did not open for him.

After a 28-yearbreak

Lithuania is called the country of discus throwers for a reason – this was once again proven by the strongest representatives of this event. My. Alekna On his very first attempt, he threw the implement 67.74 m, met the standard (66.00 m), and took first place. A. Gudžius’s discus flew 62.54 m, securing 9th place, and Ma. Alekna finished 10th with 62.29 m. This is the first time in 28 years that three Lithuanians will participate in the men’s discus throw final at the European Championships.

World record holder My. Alekna, evaluating his only throw, said he had executed the plan. “That was the plan – to reach the final as quickly as possible to burn off as little emotion and energy as I could. Everything went perfectly. I am satisfied with the result. Good conditions, good weather, warmth, and the sector is also good – ideal,” said the track and field athlete. When asked if the real Mykolas could be seen in the selection, he was brief: “It’s hard to assess how much effort I put into this throw, but confidence in my abilities is there. I hope to be able to shoot further in the final. “

The discus thrower once again recalled the painful injury he suffered in March and the impressive comeback after it. “The most important thing is not to give up. When you overcome such difficulties, such injuries, such slumps – everything accumulates into experience, and in the long run, it only works to the advantage. I believe that. I gained experience, had different trainings, and I think I am a better version of myself than I was before the injury,” My summarized. Alekna.

His brother Martynas was not particularly pleased with his performance. “Not the best performance…” And the conditions, I would say, were more difficult. The fact that this is the European Championship still gives psychological pressure, which makes it a bit harder to show what I can do,” the discus thrower reflected, adding that he is happy to have the opportunity to compete with his brother. “It’s much more fun and calmer. There is someone to talk to and share. “Definitely more fun than without it,” Ma smiled. Alekna.

A. Gudžius, who is participating in his seventh career at the European Championship, was also reflecting after the start. “Somehow it doesn’t rush…” What should be 65 is 62. What should be 64 is 60… And why is that? Is it because it’s morning? Or something? I don’t know… Still, I think I know how to get closer to those 65 years. Now I just have to quietly wait to see if I’ll be given a chance to try,” said the experienced athlete, not yet knowing he had reached the discus throw final.

The decisive 0.002 sec. and confident running

Sprinter A. Dambrauskas also had doubts after the start, though due to the organizers’ fault – for a while his name was in thirteenth place in the results, and twelve runners who participated in the qualifiers advanced to the semifinals (an equal number will compete in the semifinals without qualifying). However, in the end, the result shown by the Lithuanian was 10.57 seconds. – jumped to 12th place and opened up a spot in the semifinals. Ada was only 0.002 seconds behind the Finn who finished thirteenth. “The main goal was to reach the semifinals. Otherwise, I would have been very disappointed because a lot of work was put in. Not only mine, but also the team around me. I wanted to perform well for them as well. My run itself wasn’t the most amazing; maybe I stumbled on the third or fourth step, but I really finished well – everything I could,” said the athlete titled the fastest man in the country.

The men’s 100 m sprint semifinal, like the final, will take place today as well. “In the semifinal, the most important thing will be to manage the start, because it wasn’t great. More – everything the same. Better wind conditions would be good, and then the result could be much better. Of course, the conditions are the same for everyone,” smiled A. Dambrauskas.

Another runner, G. Galvydytė , who started this morning in the 800 m heats, was at the front of the grid from the first meters, completing the distance in 1 minute 58.99 seconds, finishing first in her race, and advancing to the semifinals. “I was just running, looking around to see if anyone was trying to overtake me. No one came in, and I felt fine. I told myself not to shrink back, to stop freely and everything would be fine. I even managed to win in my own run. I am very happy about that,” G. Galvydytė evaluated her first start in this championship. And there are still many performances ahead – on Thursday there will be the 800 m semifinal, later, if lucky, the final, and at the end of the week G. Galvydytė will try to shine in the 1500 m run.

“My coach and I tried to decide whether to run both or just one event – I leaned more towards one, but the coach said, ‘I see that you simply love competing, so go and do what you love most.'” I just want to make the most of every opportunity, because there are no such opponents in Lithuania,” said G. Galvydytė. – I think I won’t hold back. Of course, we will see. Reaching the 800 m final will be insanely difficult… Even if I don’t qualify, I will have another chance in the 1500 m event. “Everything will be fine,” summarized the Lithuanian record holder training across the Atlantic.

The only one left without a semifinal or final ticket this morning was the high jumper J. Baikštys – he managed 2.10 m without any problems, but he failed to surpass the bar set to 2.15 m. “Tragic, pathetic, shameful…” Shameful before myself, before the people who believed in me. The weather conditions are perfect. Everything is fine here. The preparation seemed to be good. I felt good during training, but when I come here – I don’t dance. It’s hard to say. The legs are rubber… A few days ago it was still good, but now it’s like rubber…” – J. Baikštys said, bowing his head.

Photo by Alfredas Pliadis