EUGENE, OREGON, August 09 — The last day is typically relay day. In this 21st edition of the World U20 Championships, there was a lot more on offer.
Men’s Discus: The USA’s Simon Rosselli took the lead after the first round with a PR 207-9 (63.32). List-leader Joseph Richard Salmon (Jamaica) responded in round 2 with a 211-2 (64.37), which would be his best of the day. Rosselli moved closer with another PR, 210-6 (64.16), but stood 3rd at the end of 3.
Then Estonian Sten-Erik Iir took over 1st in round 5 with his 214-7 (65.42). Rosselli was 4th as he entered the ring for his final throw. He held nothing back, launching a huge 217-9 (66.39), a U.S. U20 and High School Record for the Mead (Spokane) grad who will throw collegiately here for Oregon. No one could surpass that, and he had earned a surprising gold.
“I just listened to my coach and was able to piece it together,” said Rosselli. “I am a future Duck, so to come out here and show everyone what I can do is great. It is a true honor to be out here.”
Men’s Pole Vault: This came down to a seesaw, back-and-forth, lead-swapping duel between Zackaria Dia of France and Henri Apri of Estonia. Once the USA’s Isaiah Whitaker had settled for 3rd at 17-10½ (5.45), the two Europeans carried on, through 7 more bars, until Dia cleared 19-¼ (5.80), a bridge too far for Apri. The Estonian had cleared an NR 18-10¼ (5.75).
Women’s High Jump: As Italy is to the long jump, Australia is to the high jump. Izobelle Louison-Roe maintained a clean card through 6-3½ (1.92) to join countrywoman Nicola Olyslagers, the Tokyo winner in ’25, as a world champion. Hungary’s Lilianna Batori and Spain’s Aitana Alfonso both managed 6-2¾ (1.90), but had to be content with silver and bronze.
Later, the Aussie said, “I have had to be locked in all week while everyone else finishes early. I will remember this competition forever. When I won I burst into tears and I am so happy. I want to bring home the memories of these friendships I made, so many that I will cherish for life.”
Women’s Triple Jump: Daria Vrinceanu (Romania) had an excellent series, 3 jumps longer than anyone else, and a comfortable lead at 44-11½ (13.70) — until round 6. Then Bulgaria’s Viktoria Angelova, the yearly list leader but sitting in only 6th at 43-1½ (13.14), unloaded a huge 45-7¾ (13.91) into a 1.9 wind (one of the day’s strongest) to stun herself, and the competition. No one would catch her.
Women’s Javelin: Egypt’s Aseel Abdel Hamid dominated the event, and with her winning throw of 196-3 (59.82), became her country’s first WC gold medalist and first woman medalist of any color. “I was expecting to do better and get a personal best,” she said, “but the wind was not helping at all. But I am very happy with my medal!”
And on the track—
Women’s 4 x 100: Switzerland led to the final exchange, thanks to great passing and a strong second leg by Xenia Buri. The Jamaicans were lurking, however, and once they managed to get the baton in Shanoya Douglas’s hand, the race was over. Her 10.04 anchor gained 0.6 on the Swiss, who hung on for silver in 43.36 behind Jamaica’s 42.89.
The USA women were eliminated in their heat by a strong Nigerian anchor, and, ironically, in the final Nigeria became the only relay team in the championships to be disqualified for a false start.
Women’s 400H: Romania’s tall, slim Alexandra Ştefania Uţa ran a controlled race into a strong backstretch wind to record a 55.33 victory, ahead of a 55.88 by South African Tumi Ramokgopa (the 100H silver medalist) and a 55.99 by Greek Eleni Iakovákis — whose father was a World Junior gold medalist in ’98 and a WC bronze medalist in ’03.
From Uţa: “It was a great race, it felt very smooth. I wish we were closer together so I could have run faster, but I am patient.”
Men’s 400 Hurdles: The same backstretch wind hampered the men, and everyone ran slower than they had in the semis. Everyone, that is, except Michal Rada (Czechia), who somehow managed to set a new European U20 Record with his 48.59, well ahead of early leader Taiju Goto (Japan), who finished 2nd in 49.23.
Rada later stated, “It was a super hard race because of the headwind, and the competitors were world class. This is the sweetest reward I could have.”
Women’s 1500: Generously described by the meet announcer as “pedestrian,” this came down to a wild sprint over the final 200 by Kenyans Josephine Mancha and Caren Chepchirchir, Ethiopian Elsabet Amare and American Clare Stegall. Stegall, a half-second down with 250 to go, drew even with Mancha at the head of the stretch and fought her all the way to the line, diving across in 4:16.77, just 0.04 behind the Kenyan and ahead of Chepchirchir and Amare.
Men’s 1500: After a slow early pace, the race focused on two Kenyans (Wilson Chepkwech and David Sekento), vs. two Moroccans (Mohammed Elmoussalit and Osama Redouani). Seven others were close, but fading.
With 200 remaining, Redouani appeared in control, but this is a serious rivalry, and the Kenyans knew it. They blew past him on the final curve and won going away, Chepkwech in 3:37.46 ahead of Sekento in 3:38.32 and Redouani in 3:39.68, PRs for all.
The winner said afterwards, “I thank my coach at school for supporting and pushing me to be able to become a champion.”
Men’s Steeplechase: Spain’s Bakr El Asri, the fastest of all entrants by 11 seconds, took control with a lap remaining and won easily in 8:28.35. Kenyan Emmanuel Someki was a lonely 2nd in a PR 8:32.81, 6 seconds ahead of teammate Nicholas Losiwareng.
“I was prepared for a fast or slow race,” said El Asri. “I knew the Kenyans would not let the work be easy, and I had to give everything. It was a difficult race, and I wanted to speed it up, but I knew I might lose control.”
About those relays:
Women’s 4 x 400: The USA took control from the first leg (Ashtyn Lewis, 52.22) and were never challenged. The quartet finished in 3:29.15 with the following legs by Olivia Harris (53.11), Clara Adams (52.12) and Taylor-Nicole Overton (51.70). Australia (3:31.39) barely held off Great Britain (3:32.08) and Slovenia (3:32.26, with the race’s fastest leg by Maša Medjimurec, 51.64).
Men’s 4 x 400: Same story. Quincy Wilson (45.78) handed off the first leg even with France, but from then on, Cameron Tucker (45.85), Alexander Osayemi (45.19) and Jayden Deleon (44.57) stretched the gap for a 3:01.39 win, history’s No. 5 U20 time. South Africa finished 2nd in an African Record 3:02.76, with Leendert Koekemoer’s 44.35 the race’s fastest carry.
Wilson: “It means a lot being able to run with these guys. They have been working hard all week. Just knowing how much they work and sacrifice means a lot to me.”
Men’s 4 x 100: Three Texas high schoolers and an Ohio State frosh comprised the fastest group of sprinters ever assembled for a national U20 team. But the USA’s checkered history in this event was enough cause for worry.
But Blake Hamilton led off and gave Dillon Mitchell a 0.3 lead on the other teams. Mitchell stretched it with a fine carry, handing over safely to Kyler Brown. Brown lost a bit on the curve to Trinidad, Japan and Great Britain… but waiting was Tate Taylor.
Once the final pass was completed, the only question was, “How fast?” The answer, after Taylor’s 8.75 leg, was 38.16, a sensational WJR, demolishing its predecessor (set at altitude) by almost a half-second.
Taylor was happy. “It means a lot, winning this gold medal. We have been talking about this relay the whole week. We knew something special was about to happen, we were ready for something special. McDonald’s, I am coming for you.”
Great Britain, seemingly in another time zone, tied the European U20 Record with its 38.90, ahead of Jamaica’s 39.01.
And that’s the way it was.
WORLD U20 DAY 5 MEN’S RESULTS
1500: 1. Wilson Chepkwech (Ken) 3:37.46 PR; 2. David Sekento (Ken) 3:38.32 PR; 3. Osama Er-Radouani (Mor) 3:39.68 PR; 4. Mohammed Elmoussalit (Mor) 3:41.09; 5. Aldin Ćatović (Ser) 3:41.56; 6. Filip Toul (CzR) 3:41.57;… 15. Henry Dixon (US) 3:51.99.
St: 1. Bakr El Asri (Spa) 8:28.35; 2. Emmanuel Someki (Ken) 8:32.81 PR; 3. Nicholas Kitum (Ken) 8:38.05 PR; 4. Marti Torregrossa (Spa) 8:38.13; 5. Adam Červinka (CzR) 8:44.77; 6. Basile Astier (Fra) 8:48.68;… 16. Austin Carrera (US) 9:05.25.
400H: 1. Michal Rada (CzR) 48.59 PR (10, x WJ);
2. Taiju Goto (Jpn) 49.23; 3. Matodzi Ndo (SA) 49.90; 4. Miller Warme (US) 50.06; 5. Ethan Dewhirst (Ire) 51.05; 6. Marek Váňa (CzR) 51.42;… 9. Keenen Davis (US) 54.49.
4 x 100: 1. United States 38.16 WJR, AJR (old WJR 38.51A South Africa ’21; old lo-alt WJR 38.66 United States ’04) (old AJR 38.62A United States ’19) (Blake Hamilton 10.54, Dillon Mitchell 9.17, Kyler Brown 9.70, Tate Taylor 8.75);
2. Great Britain 38.90 (Divine Iheme, Jake Odey-Jordan, Ethan Franklin, James Arminio); 3. Jamaica 39.01 (Kyle Bodden, Gary Card, Nyrone Wade, Sanjay Seymore); 4. Japan 39.41; 5. Trinidad 39.44; 6. South Africa 39.48.
4 x 400: 1. United States 3:01.39 (5 WJ; 4 AJ) (Quincy Wilson 45.78, Cameron Tucker 45.85, Alexander Osayemi 45.19, Jayden Deleon 44.57);
2. South Africa 3:02.76 (Riekert 46.67, Romijn 46.38, Schoeman 45.36, Koekemoer 44.35); 3. France 3:04.80 (Klemenic 45.77, Bouhouche 46.78, Couderc 45.73, Dylan Telo 46.52); 4. Australia 3:04.84 (Grant 44.85); 5. Jamaica 3:05.71; 6. Botswana 3:05.80.
PV: 1. Zackaria Dia (Fra) 19-¼ (5.80);
2. Henri Apri (Est) 18-10¼ (5.75) PR (=7, x WJ);
3. Isaiah Whitaker (US) 17-10½ (5.45); 4. Naoya Inoue (Jpn) 17-10½; 5. Marco Rodriguez (Spa) 17-6½ (5.35) PR; 6. Topias Mustonen (Fin) 17-6½;… dq[illegal shoes]—Jaxon Jerabek (US).
DT: 1. Simon Rosselli (US) 217-9 (66.39) AJR/HSR (old AJR/HSR 214-4/65.34 Mason Finley [CoHS] ’09) (207-9 [4, 5 AJ; 3, 4 HS)], 201-1, 210-6 [4, 4 AJ; 3, 3 HS], 208-7 [x, 5 AJ; x, 5 HS)], 204-1, 217-9) (63.32, 61.29, 64.16, 63.59, 62.20, 66.39);
2. Sten-Erik Iir (Est) 214-7 (65.42) PR; 3. Joseph Salmon (Jam) 211-2 (64.37); 4. Kamari Kennedy (Jam) 210-7 (64.18) PR; 5. Yehia Khaled Helmy Mohamed (Egy) 209-11 (63.99) PR; 6. Yaroslav Lystopad (Ukr) 205-10 (62.74) PR.
WORLD U20 DAY 5 WOMEN’S RESULTS
1500: 1. Josephine Mancha (Ken) 4:16.73 (15.66, 31.54, 61.03); 2. Claire Stegall (US) 4:16.77 (15.65, 31.20, 60.73); 3. Caren Chepchirchir (Ken) 4:17.50; 4. Elsabet Amare (Eth) 4:19.83; 5. Ellery Lincoln (US) 4:22.60; 6. Lera Miller (Ger) 4:23.05.
400H: 1. Alexandra Ștefania Uță (Rom) 55.33 PR; 2. Tumi Ramokgopa (SA) 55.88 PR; 3. Eleni Iakovaki (Gre) 55.99 PR; 4. Mariam Kareem (UAE) 56.27 NR; 5. Rebekka Feirle (Ger) 56.39 PR; 6. Rania El Hamdaoui (Mor) 57.89.
4 x 100: 1. Jamaica 42.89 (4 WJ) (Johnson, Terrelonge, East, Douglas);
2. Switzerland 43.36; 3. Belgium 43.91; 4. Australia 44.01; 5. Germany 44.31; 6. Spain 44.63.
4 x 400: 1. United States 3:29.15 (9 WJ, 8 AJ) (Ashtyn Lewis 52.22, Olivia Harris 53.11, Clara Adams 52.12, Taylor-Nicole Overton 51.70);
2. Australia 3:31.39 (Hurdman 52.64, Watts 52.70, McAuliffe 52.33, Hill 53.72); 3. Great Britain 3:32.08 (Hadfield 53.47, Omotosho 53.24, Musgrave 52.57, Bennett 52.80); 4. Slovenia 3:32.26; 5. Germany 3:34.08; 6. Jamaica 3:34.28.
HJ: 1. Izobelle Louison-Roe (Aus) 6-3½ (1.92); 2. Lilianna Bátori (Hun) 6-2¾ (1.90) =PR; 3. Aitana Alonso (Spa) 6-2¾ PR; 4. tie, Ella Mikkola (Fin) & Natalija Vojinović (Ser) 6-1½ (1.87); 6. Siun Quinn (Ire) 6-1½ PR;… 8. Bailey Hensgens (US) 5-10¾ (1.80);… 9. Brianna Rivers (US) 5-10¾ PR.
TJ: 1. Viktoria Angelova (Bul) 45-7¾ (13.91); 2. Daria Vrinceanu (Rom) 44-11½ (13.70); 3. Ana Estrella De Leon (Spa) 44-6¾ (13.58); 4. Antonia Bronnert (Ger) 43-11¾ (13.40); 5. Naida Calonge (Spa) 43-9¼ (13.34); 6. Elisa Valenti (Ita) 43-7 (13.28) PR;… 10. Shi’eana Hall (US) 41-10 (12.75).
HT: 1. Clara Hegemann (Ger) 226-4 (68.99); 2. Pinja Kärhä (Fin) 224-9 (68.51); 3. Nova Kienast (Ger) 222-9 (67.89);
4. Burklie Burton (US) 221-5 (67.50) (x, 4 AJ) (202-8, 217-4 [x, 7 AJ], 208-5, 217-2 [x, 8 AJ], 221-5, f) (61.77, 66.25, 63.52, 66.21, 67.50, f);
5. Polina Dzerozhynska (Ukr) 219-10 (67.01) PR; 6. Jiajun Chen (Chn) 219-0 (66.75);… 10. Meagan Ewers (US) 196-2 (59.80).
JT: 1. Aseel Osama Abdel Hamid (Egy) 196-3 (59.82); 2. Vita Barbić (Cro) 185-8 (56.60); 3. Yu-Chin Tai (Tai) 178-3 (54.34); 4. Emily Harbach (US) 178-0 (54.27); 5. Ayaka Suzuki (Jpn) 169-11 (51.80); 6. Mariné Grobler (SA) 168-5 (51.33);… 10. Sophia Mazzoni (US) 155-2 (47.31).
