Jessica Schilder wins third consecutive European shot put title

On Monday in Birmingham, Jessica Schilder won the European shot put title, marking her third consecutive championship. The 27-year-old athlete was the strongest in the final, where she threw the shot put a distance of 20.73 meters. She achieved this in six attempts, five of which exceeded twenty meters. Schilder, who is also the reigning world champion, discussed her performance with a sense of realism after the competition.

In her remarks following the victory, Schilder emphasized that she is still just Jessica from Volendam. She noted that she simply threw her 'shot' and that it happened to go far. Her focus remained on the sporting aspect, despite the significant pressure and expectations that come with her titles.

Jorinde van Klinken once again finished in second place, as she did in 2024, earning the silver medal. These results highlight the strong performances of both Dutch athletes in the shot put event.

After the competition, Schilder acknowledged her coach, Gert Damkat, who she said plays an essential role in her success. The partnership between the uncertain Volendam native and the down-to-earth Groningen native appears to be particularly effective, according to Schilder.

Schilder indicated that it is important for her to keep her coach by her side, even after this victory. She stated about her coach, "I will tie Gert down if he wants to stop," underscoring her commitment and appreciation for their collaboration.

This third European title enhances Schilder's status in the athletics world, and she remains a central figure in the discussion about the future of shot put in the Netherlands, especially with her impressive string of successes.