Jamal Britt at the Irena Szewińska Memorial (© World Athletics 
Adam Nurkiewicz)
Jamal Britt and Luca Kozák secured sprint hurdles victories to provide two of the highlights of the Irena Szewińska Memorial – this season’s fourth World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting – in Bydgoszcz on Friday (29).
USA’s Britt was beaten for the first time in the 110m hurdles so far this season – clocking 13.25 when finishing second to Cuba’s 20-year-old Kendry Menéndez who set a big PB and meeting record of 13.07 (1.6m/s) in the heats.
But Britt, who has shown impressive consistency by matching his own PB of 13.07 four times so far this season, rebounded to win the final in 13.10 (0.7m/s) to Menéndez’s 13.14.
It maintains Britt’s win streak in finals, following his victories at the Wanda Diamond League meetings in Shanghai and Xiamen.
“I was not feeling 100%. I still felt jetlag after coming from China, so I did not quite know what I was capable of,” said Britt, back at the scene of his first win as a professional in 2022.
“Bydgoszcz was where I ran the first European race of my career, so I have good memories from here. This year I am just trying to focus on my craft. My main goal is the Ultimate Championship. I have never run in major championships before, so I am very excited to see how it is going to be.”
Hungary’s Kozák improved her own almost four-year-old national record by 0.03 to win the 100m hurdles in 12.66 (-0.2m/s) to deny home favourite Pia Skrzyszowska. They were separated by just one hundredth of a second, as Kozák gave chase to the fast-starting Skrzyszowska and caught her with a dip at the finish. USA’s Alaysha Johnson was third in 12.75.
“My PB was four years old, so it was time to run faster,” said Kozák, the 2022 European silver medallist. “I am turning 30 this Monday and it is funny to set PBs at that age, but I feel I am in the best shape of my life. I am prepared to go faster.
“The main goal is the European Championships in August. The Ultimate Championship is almost a side quest – it is in Budapest, so I would like to qualify for it, either directly or as a wild card. I think my win today gave me good ranking points.”
There were home wins in the women’s 400m and 1500m – multiple global medallist Natalia Bukowiecka opening her individual season by winning the one-lap event in 50.12. She held off Great Britain’s Yemi Mary John, who followed her 49.85 PB at the Continental Tour Gold meeting in Tokyo with 50.36 for second place this time.
Natalia Bukowiecka on her way to victory in Bydgoszcz (© World Athletics 
Adam Nurkiewicz)
World finalist Klaudia Kazimierska dominated the 1500m, winning in 3:59.99 ahead of Great Britain’s Erin Wallace in 4:04.01.
There was drama in the women’s 800m as three athletes – including race leader Jemma Reekie – fell with 150 metres to go. Switzerland’s Valentina Rosamilia maintained her composure to win in 2:00.73 ahead of Bahrain’s Nelly Jepkosgei (2:00.94) and fast-finishing Rénelle Lamote of France (2:01.13).
Great Britain’s 2023 world bronze medallist Ben Pattison won the men’s 800m in 1:45.58 ahead of Poland’s Filip Ostrowski (1:46.21), while Croatia’s Marino Bloudek won the 1500m in a PB of 3:38.52.
Jonas Phijffers, who formed part of the Dutch world silver medal-winning mixed 4x400m team in Tokyo, set a meeting record of 45.04 to top the 400m, while the 400m hurdles races were won by Great Britain’s Alastair Chalmers in 48.71 and Portugal’s Fatoumata Diallo in 55.27.
Erick Portillo was among the world indoor medallists from Kujawy Pomorze who returned to Poland. Portillo won Mexico's first ever global medal in a vertical jumps event by getting high jump silver in Kujawy Pomorze and he opened his outdoor season with a win after a 2.24m clearance in Bydgoszcz.
Menno Vloon won the pole vault, beating Pedro Buaró, home favourite Piotr Lisek, Ben Broeders and Chris Nilsen on countback as they all cleared 5.72m.
Douw Smit threw 84.57m and Sara Kolak 61.42m to win the javelin contests.
