Jessica Schilder won the European shot put title in Munich on Monday. The Volendam shattered her national record and is the first Dutch athlete to take European Championship gold in this part. Jorinde van Klinken took the bronze.
The 23-year-old Schilder came to an impressive distance of 20.24 meters on her second attempt. She thus improved her Dutch record from earlier this month in Chorzów, Poland, by no less than 40 centimetres.
Schilder also became the first Dutch person to break the 20 meter barrier. The European and world record with 22.63 meters has been held since 1987 by Natalya Lisovskaya from the Soviet Union.
Last month, Schilder became the first Dutch woman to win a medal in the shot put at the World Outdoor Championships with bronze in Eugene. In March, she also grabbed bronze at the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade.
The Netherlands has won a European Championship medal in shot put twice before: Rutger Smith took bronze in 2006 and silver in 2012. There has never been a Dutch shot putter on the European Championship podium.
Jessica Schilder was the first Dutch woman to break the 20 meter barrier.
Jessica Schilder was the first Dutch woman to break the 20 meter barrier. Photo: Getty Images
Van Klinken conquers bronze
Van Klinken claimed the bronze in the shadow of Schilder. The 22-year-old Drentse threw the ball in her second attempt to 18.94 meters and took her first medal at an international championship.
The Portuguese Auriol Dongmo settled in second place between the two Dutch women. The European and world indoor champion recorded a throw of 19.82 meters.
Thanks to the European title of Schilder and the bronze of Van Klinken, the Netherlands is already on three medals after the first day of the European Athletics Championships. Earlier in the day, Nienke Brinkman was the first Dutch athlete to win European Championship bronze in the marathon.
Jorinde van Klinken also won a medal.
Jorinde van Klinken also won a medal. Photo: AP
Van Klinken also to final discus throw
Earlier in the evening, Van Klinken also reached the final of the discus throw. She recorded a distance of 62.18 meters in the qualifications, which was more than enough for a place in the best twelve. Alida van Daalen was unable to qualify for the final battle with 56.05 meters, which is scheduled for Tuesday evening.
Silke Jonkman and Jasmijn Lau finished in the rear in the 10,000 meters. The 25-year-old Jonkman was eleventh in 32.30.92 and the two years younger Lau finished sixteenth in 33.14.00. The European title went to Yasemin Can from Turkey in 30.32.57.
Eveline Saalberg made it to the semi-finals in the 400 meters. The 22-year-old from Arnhem was second in her heat in 51.81 seconds. Femke Bol and Lieke Klaver have been directly admitted to the semi-final on the basis of their place in the European ranking.
Among the men, Jochem Dobber stranded in the 400 meter series. The 25-year-old North Hollander finished seventh in his heat in 46.36. Liemarvin Bonevacia was already allowed to participate in the semi-final battle based on his place in the European ranking.
In the decathlon, Rik Taam is sixth after five parts with 4,193 points and Sven Roosen occupies tenth place with 4,067 points. The Swiss Simon Ehammer is in the lead with 4,661 points.