On the fifth day of competition at the 2022 European Championships, the athletes in the Speed discipline were on the mats. In the women's category, three Polish athletes climbed to the top of the podium.
The competition arena on the Königsplatz in Munich was sold out for the third time in a row. The speed climbing athletes were loudly cheered on by the crowd. Five Polish athletes competed in the women's competition – three of them ended the day of competition with a medal.
Siblings together on the podium
World record holder Miroslaw was a second ahead of Chudziak in her semifinal, waiting for one of the Kalucka sisters who faced each other in the other semifinal. It was Aleksandra Kalucka who came out on top in the sibling duel to advance to the final. Her sister Natalia Kalucka consequently fought for the bronze medal.
The final was a tense affair, with Miroslaw appearing to falter just before the start of the route. However, she kept a cool head and continued to climb undeterred, while Aleksandra Kalucka later underperformed and lost the race for the gold medal.
"I've been preparing for this competition all year and I was sure that I would do my best here."
Aleksandra Miroslaw
Speed Climbing Final Replay (Video)
In the fight for the bronze medal, Natalia Kalucka beat Chudziak and ended up on the podium with her sister - what a moment!
"I'm overjoyed because this year was very difficult for me. I'm super proud of myself and my sister!"
Natalia Kalucka
Dance of joy by the Ukrainian Danyl Boldyrev
Even before Ukraine's Danyl Boldyrev claimed his gold medal in speed climbing, he danced for joy and jumped onto the podium. It was the dance of a triumphant athlete.
"I was ready to win and it was clear to me that I wouldn't give up. I woke up at 05.00 a.m. this morning and took about five cold showers."
Daniel Boldyrev
At the end of the competition, his feelings should prove to be correct. Boldyrev climbed solid times across all laps and stopped the timer in the final at 5.586 seconds ahead of his opponent Marcin Dzienski from Poland. Gold! Frenchman Guillaume Moro secured third place in a duel with Spaniard Erik Noya Cardona.
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Cover picture: Picture: Dimitris Tosidis/IFSC