On Saturday on the European Staff Championships in Poland, one thrower’s selfless act to run the 100m hurdles saved her nation within the competitors. With each of Belgium’s hurdlers out as a result of damage, Belgium wanted to have an athlete to compete within the 100m hurdles occasion, or they’d face disqualification. Shot-putter Jolien Boumkwo stepped up confidently, placing in a hurdling efficiency for the ages.
Jolien Boumkwo 🇧🇪 is a Shot Putter!
At this time, she ran the 100mH on the European Staff Championships to safe 2 factors for Belgium.
Secure to say her 32.81s was a PB. 💪🏾pic.twitter.com/sWNQMyCrLs— Oluwadare (@Track_Gazette) June 24, 2023
Undeterred by the presence of precise hurdlers, Boumkwo fearlessly embraced the problem, skillfully clearing each hurdle and not using a single knockdown–albeit in an ungainly method. Her exceptional effort concluded with a private finest ending time of 32.81 seconds, inserting her solely 19 seconds behind the winner, Teresa Errandonea of Spain (13.22).
Though this was Boumkwo’s first time competing within the hurdles, she had earlier observe occasion expertise. In 2010, on the Belgian U18 Mixed Occasions Championships, she emerged victorious within the 200m part of the heptathlon, finishing it in 28 seconds. Drawing upon her previous expertise, Boumkwo showcased her confidence earlier than her race, smiling and waving to the digicam.
Each level *does* rely on the European Staff Championships!
Seventh within the shot put, Jolien Boumkwo 🇧🇪 steps in for the 100m hurdles on the final minute in #Silesia2023! 👏 #EG2023
(@TeamBelgium, @The_EOC) pic.twitter.com/3rhERw9y5I
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) June 24, 2023
Why’d she run?
The rationale behind Boumkwo’s participation within the 100m hurdles stemmed from the principles of the European Staff Championships. Every nation will need to have an athlete begin the race, or face disqualification. Since Belgian hurdlers Anne Zagre and Hanne Claes had been unable to compete, Boumkwo, representing one other occasion, stepped up as a substitute for preserve her nation within the competitors.
With the ladies’s shot put occasion already concluded, Boumkwo saved her group, incomes Belgium two precious factors within the standings. The 29-year-old thrower obtained widespread acclaim on social media and was hailed as a hero for her inspiring effort. Boumkwo completed seventh general within the shot put in a discipline of 16.
