Tokyo Olympics / Gyulai István Memorial Hungarian Athletics GP  2021

Winner of the Dr. Bojidar Spiriev Trophy in 2021 was Elaine Thompson-Herah who went on winning 3 gold medals in Tokyo (100m, 200m, 4x100m relays!

 

* The Dr. Bojidar Spiriev Trophy is awarded to the Athlete who achieves the Best Performance of the meeting.

 

Participated in Hungary – individual Olympic champion in Tokyo:

 

10 Athletes – 11 individual gold medals

 

Elaine Thompson                             100m and 200m (+ 4x100m relay)

Shaunae Miller-Uibo                      400m

Jasmine Camacho-Quinn             100m Hurdles

Anita Włodarczyk                            Hammer Throw

André De Grasse                             200m

Steven Gardiner                              400m

Gianmarco Tamberi                       High Jump

Pedro Pichardo                                Triple Jump

Daniel Stahl                                       Discus Throw

Wojciech Nowicki                           Hammer Throw

 

Participated in Hungary – relay Olympic champion in Tokyo:

 

7 Athletes – gold medals in 3 relay events

 

Natalia Kaczmarek                          4x400m mix relay

Elaine Thompson                            4x100m women’s relay

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce                4x100m women’s relay

Shericka Jackson                             4x100m women’s relay

Michael Cherry                                 4x400m men’s relay

Michael Norman                              4x400m men’s relay

Bryce Deadmon                               4x400m men’s relay

 

From those who competed in 2021 at the Gyulai istván Memorial – Hungarian GP in Székesfehérvár, a total of 16 Athletes, in a total of 14 events became Olympic champions in Tokyo!

 

We had 20 events in the meeting and in 16 events we had Athletes who then won a medal in Tokyo!

In 19 events we had Athletes who later made top 8 in Tokyo.

 

A total of 60 Athletes participated in Székesfehérvár, Hungary in 2021 who later had a top 8 position at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

 

Athletes who made top 12 in Tokyo (top 8 in relays)  – their position in Hungary (GyM)

A summary by discipline

 

100m- women:

 

1. Elaine Thompson-Herah  – GyM 1.

2. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce – GyM 2.

3. Shericka Jackson – GyM 200m 1.

4. Marie-Josee Ta Lou – GyM 3.

5. Ajla Del Ponte – GyM 6.

6. Mujinga Kambundji – GyM 200m 4.

9. Michelle-Lee Ahye –  GyM 5.

 

Hammer Throw – men:

 

1. Wojciech Nowicki – GyM 2.

2. Eivind Henriksen – GyM 6.

3. Paweł Fajdek – GyM 3.

4. Mykhaylo Kokhan – GyM 1.

8. Valeriy Pronkin – GyM 7.

 

200m – men:

 

1. André De Grasse – GyM 1.

2. Kenneth Bednarek – GyM 2.

(3. Noah Lyles – 2020 GyM 100 és 200m 1.)

4. Errion Knighton – GyM 3. (GyM was his first ever meeting outside of the USA)

6. Aaron Brown – GyM 5.

8. Jareem Richards – GyM 4.

9. Divine Oduduru – GyM F2  3.

 

Triple Jump – men:

 

1. Pedro Pichardo – GyM 1.

3. Hugues Fabrice Zango – GyM 2.

5. Yasser Mohamed Triki – GyM 3.

6. Necati Er – GyM 6.

7. Donald Scott – GyM 4.

9. Cristian Nápoles – GyM 5.

 

High Jump – men:

 

1-= Gianmarco Tamberi – GyM 7.

(1.= Mutaz Essa Barshim – winner of the Dr. Bojidar Spiriev Trophy in 2015 and 2018)

3. Maksim Nedasekau – GyM 1.

5. Brandon Starc – GyM 6.

6. Mikhail Akimenko – GyM 3.

9. Ilya Ivanyuk – GyM 2.

 

Discus Throw – men:

 

1. Daniel Stahl – GyM 1.

2. Simon Petterson – GyM 6.

6. Andrius Gudzius – GyM 2.

10. Daniel Jasinski – GyM 5.

 

Hammer Throw – women:

 

1. Anita Włodarczyk – GyM 1.

3. Malwina Kopron – GyM 3.

4. Alexandra Tavernier – GyM 2.

7. Joanna Fiodorow – GyM 8.

 

200m – women:

 

1. Elaine Thompson-Herah  – GyM 100m 1.

4. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce – GyM 100m 2.

5. Marie-Josee Ta Lou – GyM 100m 3.

7. Mujinga Kambundji – GyM 4.

8. Shaunae Miller-Uibo – GyM 2.

 

400m – men:

 

1. Steven Gardiner – GyM 1.

4. Michael Cherry – GyM 4.

5. Michael Norman – GyM 3.

 

100m Hurdles – women:

 

1. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn – GyM 1.

[2. Kendra Harrison – 2-time winner of GyM (2017, 2019) MR holder]

5. Nadine Visser – GyM 6.

7. Gabriele Cunningham – GyM 3.

10. Elvira Herman – GyM 2.

 

400m – women:

 

1. Shaunae Miller-Uibo – GyM 200m 2.

4. Stephanie Ann McPherson – GyM 1.

11. Wadeline Jonathas – GyM 2.

12. Natalia Kaczmarek – GyM 5.

 

4x400m relay – mix:

 

1. Poland –                          Natalia Kaczmarek GyM women’s 400m 5.

2. USA –                                Kaylin Whitney GyM women’s 400m 4.

4. The Netherlands –       Femke Bol GyM women’s 400m Hurdles 1.

Lieke Klaver GyM women’s 400m 3.

6. Great Britain & N.I. – Nicole Yeargin GyM  women’s 400m 6.

 

4x100m relay – women:

 

1. Jamaica –        Elaine Thompson-Herah  – GyM 100m 1.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce – GyM 100m 2.

Shericka Jackson – GyM 200m 1.

4. Switzerland – Ajla Del Ponte – GyM 100m 6.

Mujinga Kambundji – GyM 200m 4.

 

4x400m – men:

 

1. USA                                  Michael Cherry – GyM 400m 4.

Michael Norman – GyM 400m 3.

Bryce Deadmon – GyM 400m 2.

8. Trinidad & Tobago      Deon Lendore – GyM 200m F2 2.

Jareem Richards – GyM 200m 4.

 

110m Hurdles – men:

 

2. Grant Holloway – GyM 1.

3. Ronald Levy – GyM 4.

 

800m – men:

 

2. Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich – GyM 5.

9. Clayton Murphy – GyM 3.

—–

11. Elliot Giles – GyM 1.

 

4x400m – women:

 

2. Poland –                          Natalia Kaczmarek GyM women 400m 5.

3. Jamaica –                        Shericka Jackson – GyM 200m 1.

Janieve Russell – GyM 400m Hurdles 3.

5. Great Britain & N.I.    Nicole Yeargin – GyM 400m 6.

6. The Netherlands         Lieke Klaver – GyM 400m 3.

Femke Bol – GyM 400m Hurdles 1.

 

400m Hurdles – women:

 

3. Femke Bol – GyM 1.

4. Janieve Russell – GyM 3.

6. Viktoriya Tkachuk – GyM 4.

 

100m – men:

 

3. André De Grasse – GyM 200m 1.

4. Akani Simbine – GyM 100m 1.

 

Discus Throw – men:

 

3. Tomas Walsh – GyM 1.

6. Kyle Blignaut – GyM 7.

7. Armin Sinančević – GyM 5.

11. Mesud Pezer – GyM 6.

12. Chukwuebuka Enekwechi – GyM 4.

 

4x100m relay – men:

 

3. Canada –         André De Grasse – GyM 200m 1.

Aaron Brown – GyM 200m 5.

 

Long Jump – women:

 

5. Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk – GyM 1.

11. Abigail Irozuru – GyM 2.

 

400m Hurdles – men:

 

6. Yasmani Copello – GyM 1.

 

Javelin Throw – women:

 

7. Livieta Jasiūnaitė – GyM 1.

 

The athletes who competed at the Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Grand Prix went on to have tremendous success at the Tokyo Olympics.

women’s 400 metres

1. Shaunae Miller-Uibo – GyM 200m 2.

4. Stephanie Ann McPherson – GyM 1.

—–

11. Wadeline Jonathas – GyM 2.

12. Natalia Kaczmarek – GyM 5.

women’s javelin throw

7. Livieta Jasiūnaitė – GyM 1.

women’s 4X100 metres relay

1. Jamaica – Elaine Thompson-Herah – GyM 100m 1.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce – GyM 100m 2.

Shericka Jackson – GyM 200m 1.

4. Switzerland – Ajla Del Ponte – GyM 100m 6.

Mujinga Kambundji – GyM 200m 4.

men’s 4X100 metres relay

3. Canada – André De Grasse – GyM 200m 1.

Aaron Brown – GyM 200m 5.

men’s 110 metres hurdles

2. Grant Holloway – GyM 1.

3. Ronald Levy – GyM 4.

men’s triple jump

1. Pedro Pichardo – GyM 1.

3. Hugues Fabrice Zango – GyM 2.

5. Yasser Mohamed Triki – GyM 3.

6. Necati Er – GyM 6.

7. Donald Scott – GyM 4.

9. Cristian Nápoles – GyM 5.

men’s shot put

3. Tomas Walsh – GyM 1.

6. Kyle Blignaut – GyM 7.

7. Armin Sinančević – GyM 5.

11. Mesud Pezer – GyM 6.

12. Chukwuebuka Enekwechi – GyM 4.

men’s 400 metres

1. Steven Gardiner – GyM 1.

4. Michael Cherry – GyM 4.

5. Michael Norman – GyM 3.

women’s 400 metres hurdles

3. Femke Bol – GyM 1.

4. Janieve Russell – GyM 3.

6. Victoria Tkachuk – GyM 4.

men’s hammer throw

1. Wojciech Nowicki – GyM 2.

2. Eivind Henriksen – GyM 6.

3. Paweł Fajdek – GyM 3.

4. Mykhaylo Kokhan– GyM 1.

8. Valeriy Pronkin – GyM 7.

men’s 800 metres

2. Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich – GyM 5.

9. Clayton Murphy – GyM 3.

—–

11. Elliot Giles – GyM 1.

men’s 200 metres

1. André De Grasse – GyM 1.

2. Kenneth Bednarek – GyM 2.

(3. Noah Lyles – 2020 GyM 100 és 200m 1.)

4. Errion Knighton – GyM 3. (the Gyulai Memorial was his first and only competition outside the USA)

6. Aaron Brown – GyM 5.

8. Jareem Richards – GyM 4.

women’s 200 metres

1. Elaine Thompson-Herah – GyM 100m 1.

4. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce – GyM 100m 2.

5. Marie-Josee Ta Lou – GyM 100m 3.

7. Mujinga Kambundji – GyM 4.

8. Shaunae Miller-Uibo – GyM 2.

women’s hammer throw

1. Anita Włodarczyk – GyM 1.

3. Malwina Kopron – GyM 3.

4. Alexandra Tavernier – GyM 2.

7. Joanna Fiodorow – GyM 8.

women’s long jump

5. Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk – GyM 1.

11. Abigail Irozuru – GyM 2.

men’s 400 metres hurdles

6. Yasmani Copello – GyM 1.

The athletes who competed at the Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Grand Prix and the Tatabánya Grand Prix keep winning medals at the Tokyo Olympics.

women’s 100 metres hurdles

1. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn – Székesfehérvár 1.

2. Kendra Harrison – Two-time winner and meet record holder of the Gyulai Memorial (2017, 2019)

5. Nadine Visser – Székesfehérvár 6. (1st in 2020)

6. Devynne Charlton – won the Tatabánya WACT in 2021

7. Gabriele Cunningham – Székesfehérvár: 3.

men’s high jump

1-= Gianmarco Tamberi – Székesfehérvár: 7.

1.= Mutaz Essa Barshim – winner of the Dr. Spiriev Bojidar trophy in 2015 and 2018

3. Maksim Nedasekau – Székesfehérvár: 1.

5. Brandon Starc – Székesfehérvár: 6.

6. Mikhail Akimenko – Székesfehérvár: 3.

9. Ilya Ivanyuk – Székesfehérvár: 2.

men’s 100 metres

3. André De Grasse – Székesfehérvár: 200m 1.

4. Akani Simbine – Székesfehérvár: 100m 1.

Hungarian Valdó Szűcs, who also regularly competes at the Gyulai Memorial made it into the semi-finals of the 110 metres hurdles.

Cover photo: Christian Petersen/Pool Photo/AP

Let us take a closer look!

The winner of the Olympic gold in the 100 metres Jamaican Elaine Thompson-Herah won the Dr. Spiriev Bojidar-trophy.

The final of the 100 metres in Tokyo versus the Gyulai István Memorial in 2021:

1. Elaine Thompson-Herah – Székesfehérvár: 100m 1.

2. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce – Székesfehérvár: 100m 2.

3. Shericka Jackson – Székesfehérvár: 200m 1.

4. Marie-Josee Ta Lou – Székesfehérvár: 100m 3.

5. Ajla Del Ponte – Székesfehérvár: 100m 6.

6. Mujinga Kambundji – Székesfehérvár: 200m 4.

Saturday’s other final, the men’s discus:

1.   Daniel Stahl – Székesfehérvár: 1.

2.   Simon Petterson – Székesfehérvár: 6.

6.   Andrius Gudzius – Székesfehérvár: 2.

10. Daniel Jasinski – Székesfehérvár: 5.

The mix 4x400m relay:

1. Poland – Natalia Kaczmarek – Székesfehérvár: women’s 400m 5.

2. USA – Kaylin Whitney – Székesfehérvár: women’s 400m 4.

4. Netherlands – Femke Bol – Székesfehérvár: women’s 400m hurdles 1., Lieke Klaver Székesfehérvár: women’s 400m 3.

6. Great Britain – Nicole Yeargin – Székesfehérvár: women’s 400m 6.

None of the men’s runners from Saturday could make it into the field in Székesfehérvár.

Astonishing!

Cover Photo: MTI/AFP

The Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Grand Prix which took place on July 5 and 6 is currently in first place on World Athletics’s competition performance rankings. We asked chairman of the organizing committee Péter Deutsch and sporting director Attila Spiriev about the success of this year’s competition.

We believed that last year was going to be the hardest for us in terms of organizing the competition, but Péter Deutsch thinks that we have to look at this year’s competition from more than one side.

What we knew about the world in March 2020 is vastly different than what we experienced in the summer last year. By 2021 a lot of new things such as tests, rules, travel for sporting competitions became common standards, but there are still many uncertainties when you have to organize an event with more than 250 athletes.

– On the other hand, we have experience from Olympic years as 2012 and 2016 was similar, but the Olympics were postponed by a year. The Diamond League competitions started very early and the qualification period for the Olympics ended at the end of June. We stuck with our original date which is between three Diamond Leagues. Oslo and Stockholm were ahead of us and Monaco is coming after the Gyulai Memorial. This is where the best athletes have to restructure their thinking. „Should I travel to Europe knowing that I qualified for the Olympics which is only two weeks away?” or „I did not qualify, but I can still collect points and qualify for the European or World Championships.” Christian Taylor – whose favourite competition is the Hungarian Grand Prix – could not come because of an Achilles injury, Wayde Van Niekerk got injured during warm ups and Justin Gatlin was only at 85 percent according to him. Despite all this, we collected 93.418 points, thus becoming the most successful competition of 2021.

– How do we handle this situation?

– We have to be proud of the fact that – at worst – we will be better than five Diamond League competitions. During the past few days, we received congratulatory messages from people we did not even know followed athletics. We got invited to an elite club we were hoping to join, but one that did not plan on having any new members. We are hoping to make this situation permanent.

Sporting director Attila Spiriev said before the competition that he is grateful to his wife for the past few weeks.

– She has always been very supportive and I could not have done it without her. I was getting only one-two hours of sleep every day.

– How did the competition achieve such a prestigious position on the rankings?

– World Athletics uses objective measurements to judge these competitions. One aspect of it is who participates. Olympic, World Champions and those who have a high position on the world rankings are „worth” more points and we have had many of those athletes. The second aspect is how they perform at the competition. The better the results, the more points we get and based on this, we have the lead at the moment.

– How much does it help that there were nine new meet records?

– Meet records themselves do not influence the points we get, but since our records are very strong, the results of the new records are worth a lot of points.

– If the organizers of the Gateshead, Doha, Rome, Oslo or Stockholm Diamond League look at the rankings and see that a Continental Tour Gold competition hosted by Székesfehérvár is in the lead. What do they think?

– The experts know who we are based on the past eleven years, but there might be some shocked faces when they look at the rankings. We achieved this despite the fact that 62 athletes had to cancel in the last 8-10 days because of travel difficulties, covid issues or injuries and we had to replace them.

– What kind of a message does it have that two-time Olympic Champion Elaine Thompson-Herah became the most successful athlete of the competition and received the Dr. Spiriev Bojidar Trophy?

– She is a worthy winner. We would have celebrated the tenth anniversary of the competition last year, but we had to postpone it due to obvious reasons. This way, we could look back on the past years and celebrate properly. This was also a fitting tribute to the great athlete, TV personality and sport diplomat István Gyulai. Lastly, I can safely say that the award named after my father will have a great home in the hands of Elaine.

Anna Bogdán’s attempt in the women’s javelin throw kicked off the second day of the 2021 Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Grand Prix in Székesfehérvár. The Hungarian crowd witnessed the first meet record of the day when Elizabeth Gleadle threw 61.90 in the first round. The record did not stand for long as Nikola Ogrodnikova threw 62.20 metres in the second and 62.56 in the third round.

In the last round, Liveta Jasiunaite broke the meet record again with 62.73 metres which won her the gold beating Ogrondikova (62.56) and Gleadle (61.90). The previous record was 61.31 and was set in 2013.

Hungarian Réka Szilágyi (57.55), who is preparing for the Olympics finished fourth, Fanni Kövér (56.17) finished sixth, Angéla Moravcsik (55.32) finished eighth while Annabella Bogdán (45.87) finished ninth.

In the meantime, the heats of the ’How fast you run the 100 metres?’ took place. Sofia Emmanuel (13.67) won the beginner women’s race, Balázs Zsolnai (13.00) prevailed in the men’s beginner category, while his brother, Bálint Zsolnai (11.83) won in the advanced category.

Taliyah Brooks (13.17) won the second heat of the 100 metres hurdles beating Taylori Biedt (13.44), Gréta Kerekes (13.44) and Petra Répási (13.94).

The first heat of the men’s 100 metres national competition was won hy Patrik Bondschu (11.20 PB), while Illovszky Dominik (10.70) prevailed in the second heat.

Lili Furulyás(24.77)  won the women’s 200 metres Hungarian national race, then Máté Együd (48.59) from TFSE crossed the finish line first in the men’s 400 metres. The Hungarian 800 metres women’s race was won by Anna Ferencz (2:04.96).

Tom Walsh (22.22) won the men’s shot-put setting up a meet record beating Croatian Filip Mihaljevic (21.77) and American Josh Awotunde (21.70).

Stephenie McPPherson took home gold in the women’s 400 metres in a tight race beating Wadeline Jonathas (50.70) and Lieke Klaver (51.23). Hungarian Evelyn Nádházi (53.09) finished eighth.

Jamaikan Elaine Thompson-Herah (10.71) was unstoppable in the women’s 100 metres as she beat Fraser-Pryce and Ta Lou for the gold medal.

Akani Simbine was fantastic in the men’s race – he clocked a new meet record (9.84 PB) getting the better of Michael Rodgers (10.00) and Marvin Bracy (10.12). Gemili came in fifth while Gatlin finished sixth in the wonderful competition.

Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk (6.79) took home gold in the women’s long jump finishing ahead of British Irozoru (6.64) and Mironchyk-Ivanova (6.60). Hungarian Anasztázia Nguyen (6.53) finished fourth, Diana Lesti (6.50) finished fifth and Luca Ekler (5.64) finished tenth.

The 100 metres hurdles ended in Puerto Rican victory as Camacho-Quinn was faster than everyone else. Herman (12.67) came in second, Cunningham (12.75) came in third while Hungarian favourite Luca Kozák (12.85) finished seventh.

Femke Bol emerged victorious in the women’s 400 metres hurdles with a 52.81 meet record, though she had to suffer for the win in the home stretch as Little (52.85) was closing in on her. Russel from Jamaica came in third.

Yasmani Copello also set a new meet record with 48.35 beating his own previous best in Székesfehérvár. He beat Lattin (49.06) and Preist (49.19) for the gold, Hungarian Máté Koroknai (50.11) came in sixth.

Nedasekau from Belarus won the high jump with a new national record and personal best 2.37 metres. Ivanyuk (2.33) from Russia finished second ahead of compatriot Akimenko (2.33). Péter Bakosi (2.24) was ninth, Dániel Jankovics (2.15) was eleventh, Péter Agárdi (2.15) was 13th.

There were two heats in the 110 metres hurdles – the first was won by Paolo Dal Molin (13.31) even though he touched or tipped over most of the hurdles. David King (13.31) finished second, Freddie Crittenden (13.49) finished third while Hungarian Bálint Szeles (13.88) came in seventh beating African Champion Antonio Alkana (13.98).

We witnessed Grant Holloway’s (13.08) victory in the second heat who beat Orlando Ortega (13.15) and Sergey Shubenkov (13.19). Valdó Szűcs (13.47) finished fifth.

Portuguese Pedro Pichardo started the triple jump with a world leading (17.82) which is a new meet record. Hugues Fabrice Zango also started brightly matching Picardo’s result which is his personal best and an African record as well. The answer soon came from Pichardo who jumped 17.92 beating the meet record once more. Zango could not overcome this and finished second while Triki (17.33) from Algeria took home bronze.

Jamaican Shericka Jackson also broke the meet record in the 200 metres which earned her gold. Miller-Uibo (22.15) from Bahama came in second, Dafne Schippers (22.70) finished third.

Akani Simbine won the second heat of the 200 metres after winning the 100 metres. Simbine got the better of Alonso Edward (20.29) and Oduduro (20.38).

De Grasse took home gold after winning the first heat of the 200 metres in 19.97 narrowly beating Bednarek (19.99) and rising star Erriyon Knighton (20.03).

The crowd also witnessed a meet record in the 3000 metres as Muktar Edris set a new personal record with 7:30.96 which is the third best time of the year in this distance. His compatriots Worku (7:34.75) and Yihune (7:39.27) finished second and third respectively.

Swedish giant Daniel Stahl (67.71) won the discus throw ahead of Andrius Gudzius (66.71) and Jamaican Fedrick Dacres (65.08).

The men’s 800 metres ended in British double as Elliot Giles (1:44.89) held off compatriot Jamie Webb (1:45.12) and American Clayton Murphy (1:45.20). Balázs Vindics finished eighth with a season best 1:46.64.

The last event – the men’s 400 – went to Steven Gardiner who crossed the finish line first with a season best 44.47 beating Bryce Deadmon (44.58) and Michael Norman (44.65).

The Dr. Spiriev Bojidar Trophy went to Elaine Thompson-Herah, winner of the 100 metres while the best Hungarian was Luza Kozák.

The athletes collectively achieved 93418 points which means that the Gyulai István Memorial was 2021’s most successful competition. What a fantastic afternoon!

 

 

 

The 2021 Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Grand Prix began with two-time Croatian Champion Anamari Kozul’s attempt in the women’s hammer throw under great weather conditions at 4 o’ clock. Then, Lauren Bruce began the competition with a 70.53 meter throw, then Hanna Malyshchyk followed with 68.01, while Réka Gyurátz introduced herself with 64.12 metres. American Janee Kassanavoid started with 67.57, the world’s second ranked Alexandra Tavernier threw 71.29 metres and world record holder Anita Wlodarczyk began with 71.34.

In the second round Polish Malwina Kopron took the lead with 71.72 metres, though it did not last long as her compatriot Wlodarczyk retook the lead with 73.52.

After three rounds Kozul and Irina Klymets were eliminated and the best eight athletes continued. Among those were Hungarian Réka Gyurátz (64.12, 67.26, 69.80) and two-time Olympic Champion Anita Wlodarczyk (74.76).

Tavernier threw 74.69 metres on his last attempt which made it clear that the crowd will witness a Polish victory. Since Kopron finished her series with 74.02, Anita Wlodarczyk took home gold in the opening event beating Tavernier by seven centimetres, while Kopron took home the bronze medal. Hungarian Réka Gyurátz (69.80) finished fifth.

The men’s event began with Valeriy Pronkin’s 72.64, while Bence Pásztor opened with 69.48 and winner of the Tatabánya Grand Prix Taylor Campbell began the event with 71.80 metres. Dániel Rába took the lead with 74.56 for a few minutes, but Ukrainian Mykhaylo Kokhan quickly jumped to the front of the queue (78.50). Wojciech Nowicki also opened with a strong 77.29 metres while his compatriot Pawel Fajdek started with 76.19. Marcel Lomnicky, Eivind Henriksen and Bence Halász did not register a valid throw in the first round.

Nowicki took the lead with 79.80 metres at the end of the second round, Halász jumped to fourth (74.22) and Fajdek rose to second with 78.78.

At the end of the third round Lomnicki went out without a single valid attempt, Bence Pásztor (69.48, 70.86, 69.64) also bowed out. Nowicki and Halász kept improving – the former threw over 80 metres (80.52) while the latter achieved his season’s best with 78.12 metres.

The fourth round saw Kokhan break his personal record (80.78) which earned him the lead. Nobody has ever achieved such a good result at only 20 years of age.

At the end, Bence Halász finished fourth with his season best, Fajdek finished third (78.78). Although Nowicki improved again (80.58) he could not beat Mykhaylo Kokhan’s personal best (80.78). Dániel Rába finished fifth with 74.99.

The event will continue on Tuesday.

Timetable.

Tickets.

The Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Grand Prix’s pre-competition press conference was held by the organizing committee at the Hotel Magyar Király. Attila Mészáros, vice-president of Székesfehérvár said that it is a big honour for the city to host the competition and it is a great pleasure that many athletes can now correctly pronounce the town’s name.

Péter Deutsch chairman of the organizing committee quoted Balázs Baji first, who had some great things to say about the Hungarian Grand Prix a few days ago. He went on to state that the goal in 2011 was to get Hungarian athletics back to its rightful place. He reminisced about the past ten years and highlighted Asafa Powell and Mutaz Essa Barshim’s previous performances.

• Athletics is coming home – he said, referencing the message of the competition. He mentioned that many of the upcoming Olympic Games’ winners will be here in Székesfehérvár. We do not yet know, who they will be, but we are sure that some of them will be here. He also stated that 19 Hungarian athletes will travel to Japan for the Olympics.

Sporting director Attila Spiriev introduced the participating athletes and recalled the first press conference in 2011 when he talked by heart, without any notes. Today, he arrived with a large pile of notes. He said that the Grand Prix had its 10th birthday last year, but we will celebrate this year due to obvious reasons, although the athletics community was very grateful that the Gyulai István Memorial took place last year as well. He emphasized that 45 countries’ athletes will take part in this year’s competition.

During the press conference, some young athletes from Bonyhád and Székesfehérvár got the chance to ask questions from the biggest stars. One such question was what the athletes received from the sport.

Shaunae Miller-Uibo said she is very grateful to the sport since she was only six when she started and has gotten an enormous amount of joy and happiness from athletics.

Grant Holloway admitted that his first love was athletics and would like to inspire the next generation with his performances.

Steven Gardiner mentioned that he got to travel around the world thanks to athletics and would like to encourage everyone to become an athlete.

Erriyon Knighton revealed that he likes to drink a lot of water the night before races and eats a lot of pasta.

At the end of the press conference, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Wayde Van Niekerk and Just Gatlin answered the children’s questions.

Shelly thinks that perseverance and getting over failures is extremely important for success, while Wayde said that a lot of work is needed to get to the highest level. Justin said that self-belief is also very important.

As the topic of role models came up, Shelly said that she looks up to her mother, while Wayde first jokingly mentioned that his role model is Justin Gatlin, then said that he looks up to his parents as well. Justin highlighted the previous champions that raced before him and also mentioned his parents as inspiration.

At the end, the athletes were asked to pronounce Székesfehérvár correctly – the improvised competition was won by Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce.

The recording of the press conference can be rewatched here.