Phenomenal Patryk Dobek, excellent Paweł Fajdek plus much more valuable results – 67th ORLEN Janusz Kusociński Memorial was very successful for Polish athletes.
Dobek was a hurdle runner until recently, but before winter season he decided to take part in 800 m run. Immediately he made a collossal step – he won European Indoor Championships in the winter and on Sunday in Chorzów he got the best score in the world this year and fourth score in the history of Polish athletics.
– I am glad that I was able to show my performance during the competition even though, there is a ton of work ahead of me because I only had a couple of months of training. Old veterans in 800 m run have more experience in that event. At the moment, there is no competition for me in 400 m hurdle run which is why I focus on 800 m run because some competition is here and that leads to a self-development. It was hot today, the atmosphere was hot as well. I am happy that despite the heat, spectators found some time to come and cheer – Dobek, who will run in Tokyo on the distance of 800 m, said.
The competitors didn't hide the fact that the heat was really bothering. The temperature during the competition was well over 30 celcius degrees and the track which was exposed to sun was over 60 Celsius degrees!
This 800 m run was exceptional not only because of Dobek who beat his personal best but also because of two Great British runners who took next places on the podium – Jamie Webb and Elliot Giles. Marcin Lewandowski finished right after them with the time of 1:44.31 and right after him almost 18 years old Krzysztof Różnicki who beat the Polish junior record with the result of 1:44.51, and he filled the minimum for Olympic Games in Tokyo.
– Tokyo? I don't know, I didn't expect that to happen. It's hard for me to say anything right now, I guess I won't sleep tonight – Różnicki commented with emotions.
Paweł Fajdek puts his best foot forward during this season. He threw at the distance of 82 metres in Chorzów. Four time champion does not hide the fact that he has one goal in Tokyo – to get gold, which is missing in his awesome career. Wojciech Nowicki was the second, who is also the Polish candidate for the medal in Tokyo.
– For me, it doesn't matter who gets the gold in Tokyo, me or Paweł as long as we both stand on the podium. I am really happy with the consistency of throws because there were 80 throws. I could have tried a couple of things. I didn't manage to do them all, but I will work during the trainings - Nowicki commented.
In women's hammer throw, Malwina Kopron showed her good performance. She scored almost 75 metres, overtaking by a metre and a half the second Anita Włodarczyk.
– I was getting better with every throw. I am happy with my performance, despite the fact that it was really hot, and we were at the stadium for over 2 hours. I throw well, but I did not reveal everything I have got. I strongly believe that I will be in an exceptional form in a month. I am getting pumped by the rivalry with Anita Włodarczyk - Kopron said. She didn't hide her joy over the fact that there are spectators back on the stands. On Sunday in Chorzów, athletes were cheered by 5 thousands spectators. – It's cool to have them back, because we missed them – she said.
The best Polish female runner Justyna Święty-Ersetic was the third in 400 m run – Right before the start, stress came in because I didn't know what to expect. Covid seriously injured my body. I happy with my result and I believe that from start to start my scores will get better – she said.
What else happened on thee National Athletics Stadium in Chorzów? In 100-metre run, Gina Bass took the stadium record from Ewa Swoboda by overtaking her by three hundred of a second. Two Polish runners showed their great performance in 400 m run – Karol Zalewski with the time of 45.14 was the second and Kajetan Duszyński was the third with the time of 45.51.
Damian Czykier with his 13.46 took the second place after Wilhelm Belocian in 110 m hurdle run – It was a solid run so I am happy. Some things aren't working properly and after coach change I need some time to settle in, but I think that it will be ok. I feel that my form is going up, and I will beat that score during Polish Championships - Czykier said.
Pia Skrzyszowska was the second in 100 m woman hurdle run. – I am happy that my results are getting stable. The atmosphere was awesome today, my parents were here today, and they cheered me but the weather wasn't favourable for us today. European Youth Championships are ahead, and I know what I can improve – she said.
The pole vault event was interesting but miserable for Piotr Lisek who jumped with an injured heel. In the end, he finished on fourth position. Robert Sobera was the third. The event was won by Renaud Lavilennie with the result of 5.92. Olympic Champion and silver medallist from Rio de Janeiro tried to jump over 6 metres, but he failed. In shot put event, Michał Haratyk was the best. He put 20.73 and that result was good enough to beat South Africa representative Kyle Blignaut by only 12 centimetres.
During 67th ORLEN Janusz Kusociński, Gudaf Tsegay tried to beat the world record in 1500 m run, but she failed by almost 4 seconds.
More on: https://www.facebook.com/MemorialKusego/
Official website of the event: https://kusocinski.pzla.pl/
source: https://kusocinski.pzla.pl/
