Sandra Perkovic produced the most dominant performance of the week with a fifth-round 71.08m national record effort to secure on the European Championship in Zurich her third successive continental discus throw title.
Melina Robert-Michon of France reached 65.33m for silver, exactly one metre better than bronze medallist Shanice Craft.
The Croatian won by nearly six metres, the biggest margin of victory in the event in the history of the European Championships, and was the best throw in the world since 1992.
„I wasn’t surprised as I came here prepared. I had so much travel beforehand, I was worried I’d get injured but it was great to throw over 71 meters. It’s a very far throw in this close stadium with no wind, I’m glad I got the gold medal. I think I can throw further, I have two competitions left in the IAAF Diamond League in Stockholm and then back here again in Zurich – I like it here and I hope to get the stadium record of 70.30m at the Weltklasse meeting later this month. I will also do the IAAF Continental Cup. I was going for my third European gold here – the conditions were sunny and I used the weather to my advantage. Every round was good so who knows for the next European Championships in Amsterdam in two years’ time. The world lead and national record is perfect for me – now I will see if I have something further in me for the rest of the season“, Perkovic said.
And we expect her shot over 70 meters in Zagreb…