Seated in the stands alongside the legendary father Virgilijus, a two-time Olympic champion, and other relatives, Mykolas Alekna became the European vice-champion for the first time, completing his medal collection – he won gold in Munich in 2022 and bronze in Rome in 2024.
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“Of course, I wanted gold,” Mykolas said immediately after the final. “Every time, like everyone hopes… Still, I’m not as happy as I would like to be. Next time, next time.”
In Birmingham, with his best attempt, he threw the implement 69.89 m.
However, reminded that his entire season this year was hanging by a thread when his chest muscle tore during spring training, Mykolas lifted his spirits a bit.
“Definitely. If someone had told me before the season that all this would happen – I would have been satisfied. Still, I would like gold,” added the world record holder immediately. “Of course, I’m glad I can be here, but, you know, the emotions right after everything are mixed with a bit of sadness… I hope they will improve later.”
- My. Alekna in the final: 69.89 m / 68.40 m / X / X / X / 69.23 m
Later improving his result, K. Čehas threw as far as 72.51 m.
“Not surprising. I knew he could throw far. I myself hoped to throw farther. I definitely could, but it is what it is. A few technical mistakes, a few unsuccessful throws – I lost my rhythm, and that’s how it happened,” shared Mykolas Alekna, judging by the television cameras, most upset about the fourth attempt when the discus hit the net.
“Now, you know… It is what it is. I don’t know how it would have been… The discus hit the net, so I don’t want to make any guesses.”
Bronze was celebrated by the German Henrik Janssen, who recorded the best result of the season – 69.53 m.
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Only one participant younger than 23-year-old Mykolas was in the final – 22-year-old Greek Dimitrios Pavlidis.
25-year-old brother Martynas Alekna took 12th place (61.78 m), and the oldest finalist, 35-year-old Andrius Gudžius, finished 9th (63.99 m).
- Three Lithuanians competed in the European men’s discus final for the first time since 1998 in Budapest, when Virgilijus Alekna won bronze in the final (66.46 m), Romas Ubartas was ninth (61.66 m), and the current coach of A. Gudžius, Vaclovas Kidykas, was eleventh (60.21 m).
“Good conditions, warm, many people gathered – nothing to complain about. Family also came. It’s very nice that dad, mom, and sister were in the stands. Very happy to see them in the stands and receive support. I also saw more tricolors, felt a lot of support. I am really very grateful to all the fans who came such a distance to support,” continued Mykolas, commenting on the variable wind in the stadium.
“During the first throws, the wind was quite strong. I definitely could have made that (better) throw, but it is what it is.”
- Mykolas Alekna’s trophy collection already included the European Championship gold (2022) and bronze (2024), as well as Olympic silver (2024), two world vice-champion titles (2022, 2025) and bronze (2023), and the Diamond League winner’s prize (2025).
Stopped at the beginning of this season by a serious injury, Mykolas Alekna ultimately not only surpassed medical predictions but also returned spectacularly – at the end of July in Palanga, he threw the implement 72.65 m.
He also holds the world record in this event (75.56 m), achieved last year.
“What will I do now? Tonight I will meet with relatives, and this season still awaits Diamond League stages, and I will finish the season in Vilnius at the city mayor’s cup competition on September 12,” Mykolas Alekna concluded the conversation.
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You can find the Lithuanian schedule and expectations at the European Championship here.
