In the half-empty “Alexander” stadium, I. Gumbs flew the implement 58.03 m with her best attempt and took 8th place in the first qualifying group among 15 contenders.
The worst part is that just as many appeared later, and four competitors threw farther, leaving the Lithuanian champion in 13th place.
She missed the final by 45 centimeters.
Understand instantly
I. Gumbs in the discus throw qualification: 58.03 m / 57.23 m / 55.96 m
A ticket to the final was guaranteed by 62.50 m or a place in the top twelve.
“Not really… I wanted to throw over 60 m and easily, so the result is disappointing. Of course, it was just one competition – it didn’t go well, what can you do now?” – shared I. Gumbs.
– Actually, the conditions were good. The sector was slower, which I like. The temperature was also good. I was just a bit tense… After the first throw, we wanted to adjust the technique a bit, but when you are tense and adrenaline is running – you just can’t freely control your body. You can see what happens…”
Just a couple of weeks ago in Palanga, her implement flew 61.30 m, and the farthest throw this season was by I. Gumbs in the famous Ramona fields in the USA – 62.42 m, where the world record was taken by Mykolas Alekna.
In Ramona, I. Gumbs also made her career throw – 64.98 m two years ago.
“In training, the discus also didn’t fly over 60 m… It just didn’t go well,” continued I. Gumbs. “After the Lithuanian championship, I returned to America, but I don’t think that trip could have had any impact. I feel really good, the warm-up yesterday was also very good. It’s just… adrenaline in such competitions still works and this happens.”
For the experienced athlete, this was already her fourth European Championship. Unfortunately, she has not yet managed to pass the qualification barrier:
“Maybe it’s not nervousness, but the desire to perform well… I had confidence. I really expected to throw at least 60 meters. Maybe I wanted too much? Expected too much from myself? Forgot the technique and it didn’t work…”
Understand instantly
I. Gumbs is an 18-time Lithuanian champion – adding 9 titles in shot put.
In the 2018 debut European Championship, she took 23rd place in both discus throw (53.91 m) and shot put (15.13 m). In 2022, she was 14th in discus throw (56.85 m), and in 2024 – 19th (56.56 m).
The Lithuanian women’s discus throw record has belonged to Galina Murašova for over 40 years – 72.14 m (1984).
“All season I threw over 60 meters… I really believed I could do it here too. It didn’t go well… The competitors’ results are very high, all are well prepared. We should be glad it’s not three X’s like for the Moldovan representative, not 54 m like in previous championships. What can you do…” – explained I. Gumbs, adding that her season is over.
