Slovenian repeatedly breaks championship record on his way to second successive discus gold.

Kristjan Čeh produced a record-breaking throwing masterclass as he mounted a successful defence of his European discus title in Birmingham. 

The Slovenian broke the championship record three times on his way to gold against a high class field, with a best of 72.51m in the hot conditions that proved to be ideal at the Alexander Stadium. 

Čeh, the 2022 world champion, was the only athlete to exceed the 70-metre mark, managing it on no fewer than four occasions across an impressive series as he exceeded Mykolas Alekna’s championship record of 69.78m. 

The Lithuanian world record-holder, who underwent surgery for a torn pectoral muscle earlier this year, showed impressive powers of recovery as he followed up his 2024 bronze with a silver this time around thanks to his his first-round 69.89m. Bronze went to Germany's Henrik Janssen thanks to a season’s best of 69.53m. 

World champion Dani Ståhl’s search for a European title goes on, the Swede finishing fourth with a best of 68.22m.

“I am not surprised,” said Čeh. “I was expecting this. I would say this was the competition with the highest level there has been in the history of these championships. We had perfect conditions for the discus, a perfect circle and everybody just had great throws. When you throw alongside these guys it is like another boost. I have a lot of respect for my opponents.”

Men's discus: 1 Kristjan Ceh (SLO) 72.51 CR; 2 Mykolas Alekna (LTU) 69.89; 3 Henrik Janssen (GER) 69.53; 4 Daniel Ståhl (SWE) 68.22; 5 Shaquille Emanuelson (NED) 67.97; 6 Diego Casas (ESP) 65.64; 7 Ruben Rolvink (NED) 65.45; 8 Dimitrios Pavlidis (GRE) 64.34