Lisek leaps to European men’s pole-vault title

AFP, BELGRADE: Piotr Lisek made the most of the absence of world record holder Renaud Lavillenie to take the European indoor pole-vault title on Friday despite breaking three of his own poles.
Lisek, the only athlete to cross 6m this season, took gold with a clearance of 5.85m, winning on count back from Greece’s Konstadinos Filippidis and Polish compatriot Pawel Wojciechowski.
“I didn’t have the best preparation in the last few weeks. I snapped at least three poles and I found it hard mentally to cope with this,” said 24-year-old Lisek who won the first major title of his career.
“I used old poles and I tried to go as high as possible. This gold medal is of great significance.” 
Olympic pentathlon champion Nafissatou Thiam of Belgium also shared the limelight on the opening day in Belgrade. Thiam took gold with personal bests in the 60m hurdles and high jump.
“I have been under scrutiny since the Rio Olympics so I didn’t want to come here if I didn’t have the capacity to win,” she said.

 

Lisek leaps to European mens pole-vault title

AFP, BELGRADE: Piotr Lisek made the most of the absence of world record holder Renaud Lavillenie to take the European indoor pole-vault title on Friday despite breaking three of his own poles. Lisek, the only athlete to cross 6m this season, took gold with a clearance of 5.85m, winning on count back from Greeces Konstadinos Filippidis and Polish compatriot Pawel Wojciechowski. I didnt have the best preparation in the last few weeks. I snapped at least three poles and I found it hard mentally to cope with this, said 24-year-old Lisek who won the first major title of his career. I used old poles and I tried to go as high as possible. This gold medal is of great significance. Olympic pentathlon champion Nafissatou Thiam of Belgium also shared the limelight on the opening day in Belgrade. Thiam took gold with personal bests in the 60m hurdles and high jump. I have been under scrutiny since the Rio Olympics so I didnt want to come here if I didnt have the capacity to win, she said.