On July 4-5, the Lithuanian Junior (U18) and U23 Athletics Championships took place in Druskininkai. For two days, almost 600 athletes competed in the stadium, who had the last chance to perform before the European U23 Championship and the European Youth Olympic Festival. This opportunity was well used by pole vaulter Elzė Kudulytė, who fulfilled the norm of the European U23 Championship on the penultimate day of the qualification term.
The pole vault competition norm for the European U23 Championship to be held in Bergen (Norway) on July 17-20 is 4.05 m. E. Kudulytė overcame this height in the third attempt, improved her personal record and became the country’s vice-champion.
“The best emotions. There was a lot of stress, because the wind was not very favorable and I had to take other, much longer, poles. Only on the third attempt did I overcome a height of 4.05 m, it was really scary. I’ve convinced myself in the last few days that this is my trait – I do better under pressure,” E. Kudulytė said after the race.
The athlete assures that this result is not the limit, but in the first European Championships of her career, the pole vaulter will also feel the support of the national record holder Rugilė Miklyčiūtė : “The result is very gratifying, but I know that after taking care of my technique and emotions, I can really dance much higher. In the championship I will try to repeat the current result and strive for new records, I hope I will succeed. Rugilė and I are good friends, and I get a lot of support. She helps, comforts and gives advice when needed. I’m glad to have her by my side and to be able to apply.”
Less than two weeks ago, R. Miklyčiūtė (4.30 m), who improved the Lithuanian record (4.30 m), became the Lithuanian U23 champion (4.15 m). The title of champion in Druskininkai was also won by sprinter Lukas Sutkus. The latter covered the 400 m distance in 47.41 seconds. It was the athlete’s second start in the 400 m race this summer season, and he managed to set a season record.
“The start of the season is quite modest and I would like to see better results. I believe that I will be able to get in. I feel pain in the hamstring, which is what makes me want such results, but I try to overcome these difficulties. I have a great coach and supportive people who push me forward, so I believe that I will be able to show better results. The biggest headache is the problem of the hamstrings, but perhaps a more correct psychological attitude is also needed. I should start myself more, and I can’t do it yet,” L. Sutkus said about the problems he suffered after the finish.
The athlete will also start at the European U23 Championships, and his personal record was set back in 2023 (46.36 seconds): “I would like to show much better results in this competition, which will probably be the most important start of my year. My initial goal was, set 2 years ago, to get to the final of this competition. At the moment, the results do not indicate it, but I will try to show what I can.”
The sprinter participated in the U20 World Championships in 2022 and the European U20 Championship in 2023, where he managed to win fourth place. The 21-year-old L. Sutkus mentioned that expectations are growing every year, so it is very important to deal with the tension felt: “These championships were psychologically difficult, because I felt that I could show a lot. I was able to overcome the tension and fight the best, I hope to keep it in the future. That experience should happen, but a couple of years ago I was less excited and less thinking about the results. It was simpler, no one pressured me. I believe that I will be able to cope with the tension even now, but now the expectations are higher. With the years, there is a greater desire to improve and improve results.”
On Friday, the Lithuanian junior champion was Martynas Kolupaila, who won the first place in the 100 m run. The 16-year-old sprinter covered the distance in 10.87 seconds, and hoped for victory. True, an important goal was not only to win, but also to avoid injuries: “I have a mini-injury to the biceps muscle, it was the goal to just win. I didn’t aim for a specific result and wanted to avoid injuries.”
At the end of June, the Lithuanian took third place in the prestigious international youth competition “Bauhaus Junioren-Gala”, which took place in Mannheim (Germany), when he covered the 100 m distance in 10.42 seconds. and improved not only the personal record, but also the Lithuanian junior, 17-year-old and 16-year-old records. In addition, the athlete fulfilled the norm of the European U20 Championship. This will take place in Tampere (Finland) on August 7-10, and M. Kolupaila is also waiting for the start of the European Youth Olympic Festival, which will take place in Skopje (North Macedonia) on July 20-26.
“In Germany, there were good conditions, wind, very warm and good competition – that pushed the most towards the record result. I didn’t expect such a result, but I wanted to qualify for the European U20 Championship, and the goal was achieved. I was supposed to run in the B final, but due to another athlete’s injury I ran in the A final with the elite, so the coach wished me to have fun. Running with such rivals was more motivation for me,” M. Kolupaila recalled the most impressive race of his career so far.
The athlete, who made his debut at the European U18 Championships last year and took 26th and 28th places, was happy with the progress, but added that there is still room for improvement in all areas: “Every year I improve my personal record by about 0.3 seconds, which is encouraging. I will strive to continue to improve and run even faster. You feel increasing experience, adrenaline and self-confidence, but it is possible to improve everywhere, especially psychologically. If you come to the starting line scared, you won’t really run. There is such a thing in a sprint that you have to be relaxed at all times. Then come good results, like in Germany, where I came to the start very relaxed and expecting nothing.”
In total, more than 70 Lithuanian champions were revealed in Druskininkai, and as many as a third of them improved their personal records.
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Photo by Neringa Radžiūnienė.
