High jumper Stefano Sottile, sprinter Marcell Lamont Jacobs and hurdler Luminosa Bogliolo highlighted the 109th edition of the Italian Championships in Bressanone held in cool weather conditions due to rain and wind.

Before last month, only one Italian athlete had ever won at an IAAF Diamond League competition. At the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games in London, not only did that tally double to two, but Italy secured its first ever 1-2 finish at an IAAF Diamond League event.

A vociferous and passionate section of the crowd decked in Azzurri blue were sent into ecstasy as Stefano Sottile equalled his world-youth-leading mark of 2.20m to claim a pulsating victory at the IAAF World Youth Championships, Cali 2015 on Saturday night (18).

Italy’s Stefano Sottile looks the pick of the entrants in what could prove a wide open competition.