Daria Zabawska took Poland’s first medal of the Nicosia 2026 European Throwing Cup on Sunday (15) with 62.27m, her second best ever throw.
She had struggled to find her form at the start of the competition with a no-throw followed by 51.79m, but her frustrations were channelled into the discus during the final round.
She knocked Melina Robert-Michon, a two-time world medallist and Olympic silver medallist, into second much to the surprise of the spectators and even herself.
The Pole had been chasing after her PB for nearly six years, but it seems all she needed was a ring as her partner proposed to her just earlier this week.
“It was a long wait, because of injuries and mental health stuff, so to be here no with a gold medal I am so happy. I knew I had a big throw in me and when I hit the net I knew I was well prepared so I knew I had to just wait for the big throw.
“I hope I can throw big again at the European Championships final and hopefully be in the medals," said Zabawska.
France's Robert-Michon was making an incredible 22nd appearance at the European Throwing Cup and with her throw of 60.03m, she stood on her 13th podium at this event. Her first medal dates all the way back to the very first edition in 2001 when she won bronze.
She showed a consistent series with three throws over 59 metres in tough conditions that saw swirling winds often take some distance out of what looked to be great throws from the whole field of athletes.
Germany’s Marike Steinacker took her second consecutive bronze medal at these championships, with 59.72m in the fifth round, the exact same distance she threw at the Rome 2024 European Athletics Championships.
Vanessa Kamga, who won the discus title last year, couldn’t replicate her sister Patricia Kamga's earlier achievements with a gold in the U23 hammer and instead the older sister had to settle for fourth.
She had set a strong early mark in round two of 58.82m to take the lead, but the Swede was unable to extend that distance to keep her spot secure.