Gold and bronze in Beijing for Poland's discus titans
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
29.08.2015 18:50
Piotr Małachowski has taken gold and Robert Urbanek bronze in the men's discus at the World Championships in Beijing.
Piotr Małachowski (L) and Robert Urbanek (R) after the final of the men's discus at the World Championships, Beijing. Photo: EPA/Diego Azubel
“I just made it, but I'm mentally exhausted,” Małachowski admitted after wrapping up the final, winning on his second throw with 67.40 metres.
“I gave it my all with the first two throws but then my legs went straight, as if I'd only just learnt to throw,” he said.
Małachowski's Beijing victory marks the first time he has ever won the World Championships, after taking silver both in Moscow in 2013, and in Berlin in 2009.
The 32-year-old is a serving officer in the Polish army, with the current rank of corporal.
Meanwhile Urbanek, whose best result to date had been bronze in the 2014 European Championships, was over the moon with his first World Championships medal, which he won with a throw of 65.18 metres.
“This medal is something incredible for me,” he enthused, acknowledging like Małachowski that the pressure was intense.
“I can't believe that I pulled through this contest mentally.”
Poland has upped its game at championships this year, with the team currently fifth overall in the medal table, with three golds, one silver and four bronzes. The games finish on Sunday 30 August. (nh/rk)