Legendary Lithuanian discus thrower Virgilijus Alekna is confident that the stadium record, which has stood for more than 20 years, will be broken during these competitions.
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“The fight for the winner’s title will definitely be strong, because at this year’s European Championship in Birmingham, Mykolas competed for gold against Kristjan Čeh, and at the Paris Olympics – against Roje Stona. Such competitions are always interesting and exciting for me personally, so we really want as many fans as possible from all over Lithuania to come to this great event,” invites Mykolas Alekna’s coach and competition organizer Mantas Jusis.
The wishes of titled discus throwers – surprisingly modest
The elite discus throwers will be gathered in Vilnius for the second year in a row by the “Jusis training” club. The competition in the “Domė” professional discus throwing event will be especially fierce this time – besides M. Alekna, K. Čeh, and R. Stona, the sector will also feature Martynas Alekna and this year’s European Athletics Championships discus throw finalists from the Netherlands, Shaquille Emanuelson and Ruben Rolvinik.
Usually, organizers have to pay fees ranging from 3,000 to 8,000 euros to invite stars of this level to commercial competitions, but Olympic and world champions come voluntarily.
“I think the names Virgilijus and Mykolas Aleknas, Romo Ubartas, Andrius Gudžius really help. People want to come to the country of discus throwing, where such titled athletes grew up, and find out why there are so many of them in such a small country.
We promised that the stadium would be full of people and the atmosphere would be wonderful. Kristjan only wanted his throws to be accompanied by his favorite music, and Roje – to spend a week in Vilnius. Very modest star wishes,” smiles M. Jusis.
In the discus throwing competition in Vilnius, athletes will compete for a prize fund of 10,000 euros.
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Will Virgilijus Alekna’s stadium record hold?
Last year, Mykolas Alekna, who celebrated victory at Vingis Park stadium, fell just over a meter short of the stadium record held by his father V. Alekna. This year, the 70.01 m record faces an even greater threat. Mykolas Alekna’s best season result is 72.65 m, K. Čeh’s – 72.61 m, R. Stona’s – 70.66 m.
“The record I set in this stadium almost 20 years ago, I don’t think will survive these competitions. I suspect it will change,” smiles Virgilijus Alekna.
The Vilnius Mayor’s Cup competition, starting at 4 p.m., will also feature the “CUP” children’s sprint and “Emsi” 400 m family runs. Admission is free for all spectators.
“Last year there was lightning and thunderstorm, and despite such terrible weather, half a thousand people came. If this year the stadium is full and there is nowhere to sit and people have to stand in double rows, the competition will also be seen by TV3 television viewers, which will be a huge exposure. Every third or fourth Lithuanian will know that a battle between the world’s best discus throwers took place in Vilnius. This will further popularize athletics and discus throwing,” says M. Jusis.
Before the competitions in Vilnius, Mykolas Alekna and other discus throwers still have two Diamond League stages in Silesia and Zurich, as well as the final in Brussels.
Everyone will be able to watch the intriguing competitions for free at Vilnius Vingis Park stadium on September 12.
