Jessica Schilder caused a real sensation during the World Athletics Championships in Eugene. The Volendam won bronze in the shot put section at her World Cup debut. Schilder is the first Dutch woman ever to receive a World Cup medal in the shot put.
On her best attempt, 23-year-old Schilder came to a distance of 19.77 meters. That was an improvement on her own national record, which stood at 19.68 meters. The gold went to Chase Ealey of the United States, who threw the bullet 20.42 meters. The silver went to the Chinese Gong Lijiao (20.39).
World topper
Afterwards, Schilder spoke of “a bizarrely beautiful match” and of an unexpected slice. “I didn’t expect to get on the podium with this distance.” Despite her bronze medal, Schilder does not yet feel like a world leader. “Maybe that realization will come tomorrow. Yes, I am the number three in the world, but that has yet to sink in,” said the Volendam.