**Kesidis Finishes Last in European Hammer Final at Birmingham Championships**
Cyprus hammer thrower Iosif Kesidis concluded his participation in the men’s hammer final at the European Athletics Championships held in Birmingham on Tuesday, finishing in 12th place with a best throw of 72.27 metres. The 20-year-old athlete faced challenges during the competition, registering two foul throws before managing a valid attempt in the third round.
Despite his efforts, Kesidis was unable to improve upon his initial mark throughout the event, ultimately placing last among the 12 competitors. His performance, while not medal-winning, marks a significant experience for the young athlete, as he was the only representative from Cyprus in this event.
The championship saw Hungary's Bence Halasz take the gold medal with a remarkable throw of 84.25 metres, setting a new championship record in the process. This victory is particularly notable for Halasz, as it marks his first European title after previously securing bronze in 2018 and silver in both 2022 and 2024.
Germany's Merlin Hummel claimed the silver medal with a throw of 81.30 metres, while Ukraine's Mykhaylo Kokhan rounded out the podium with a bronze medal, achieving a distance of 79.49 metres. Both Hummel and Kokhan reached their best throws in the fifth round of the competition, showcasing the competitive nature of the event.
Halasz's winning throw was particularly impressive, as he opened the competition with a throw of 80.96 metres before reaching his championship-winning distance in the fifth round. Although his final attempt resulted in a foul, his earlier performance was sufficient to secure the title.
For Kesidis, this experience at a senior European championship level provides valuable insights and learning opportunities as he continues to develop his skills in the sport. While the result leaves him outside the medal contention, it is a stepping stone in his athletic career.
As the competition concluded, the focus now shifts to the future for Kesidis, who will undoubtedly take the lessons learned from this event into his training and upcoming competitions.