Mykolas Alekna, the real superstar of the Espoo European Championships, is following the path shown by his iconic father. The Lithuanian thrower has nothing bad to say about Finland.
The men’s discus throw final of the under-23 European Championships in athletics will be contested on Saturday. The races are shown live on channels.
ESPOO. From a Finnish point of view, the men’s discus throw competition at the European Junior Championships has a real dose of nostalgia. When the World Athletics Championships were held in Helsinki in 2005, the legendary Virgilius Alekna.
18 years later, the most interesting name of the puck competition in Finland is Alekna again. This time, however, it is about the son of a Lithuanian legend From Mykolas.
The boy who won World Championship silver and the European Championship last year is one of the brightest names at the Espoo Games.
Even though it’s about the youth games, a certain kind of circle closes. The athlete’s basic answer is that he doesn’t think like that.
– I know my father won the gold medal. I hope I will be able to win as well, the calm man acknowledges.
A legendary surname
Virgilijus Alekna is one of the best discus throwers of all time. He won Olympic gold in 2000 and 2004.
At the World Cup level, in addition to the Helsinki Games, she celebrated a victory in Paris 2003. Alekna, who has had a long career, finished fourth in her last Olympics in London in 2012 at the age of 40.
Virgilijus is second in the all-time world statistics with the fierce arc of 73.88 meters he threw in 2000.
The boy born in 2002 is at least on a promising path, as evidenced by the European Championship and World Championship silver.
Mykolas, who has dramatically improved his record over the past two years, set his impressive record of 71 meters at the American University Games in the spring. Because he is 18th in the all-time statistics.
– He has had a big influence on me. He has given me a lot of tips and taught me how to throw. I am truly thankful to have a father like him.
For the first time in Finland
Mykolas Alekna is in Finland for the first time.
– So far it has gone really well. I like Finland. It’s beautiful here and the people are friendly.
– Nothing here bothers me. The culture here is very similar to that in Lithuania, Alekna says.
The men’s discus final will be thrown on Saturday. Alekna, who has gone through the qualifying routine, goes to get the gold medal she is missing.
However, Alekna’s main goal for the season is set for the World Championships in Budapest in August. The competition in men’s hockey is currently the toughest for years.
Slovenia tops the world statistics Kristjan Ceh with his wild record of 71.86. Finns are very familiar with Sweden Daniel Ståhl has lost 71.45. Alekna holds third place.
– The puck level is really tough this year. My main goal is to throw as well as I can and enjoy competing.
This summer, Alekna has competed only twice. He needs the Games to get in top shape.
– I feel better all the time. I believe that I will be ready when the main goal approaches, Alekna refers to the World Cup.