First the fastest in the semi-final, then on the podium. Jakub Szymański wins bronze at the European Championships
On Wednesday, 12 August 2026, at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, Jakub Szymański won the bronze medal in the 110-metre hurdles. The Polish hurdler ran the final in a time of 13.26 seconds, equalling his best time of the season.
His path to the podium was equally impressive. In the semi-final, Szymański clocked 13.26 seconds, won his heat and recorded the fastest time of all the athletes competing for a place in the final. He therefore went into the medal race as one of the main contenders for a podium place.
In the final, he clocked 13.26 seconds once again and finished in third place. He was just one hundredth of a second short of the Polish record.
“After the semi-final, I knew I’d be up there in the final. You just know when you’re on form,” said Jakub Szymański after his earlier race.
For the 24-year-old athlete, this is another important step in a very successful season. In March this year in Toruń, he became the world indoor champion in the 60-metre hurdles, and has now added a bronze medal from the European Championships on the outdoor track to his honours list.
Szymański was one of the Polish athletes to win a medal in Birmingham. Earlier, Ewa Swoboda had won silver in the 100-metre sprint and Pia Skrzyszowska in the 100-metre hurdles.
The bronze medal in Birmingham is further proof that Jakub Szymański ranks amongst the best in Europe in his discipline. Following such a performance, he will return to the next major competition not only with the ambition to fight for a place in the final, but also with realistic expectations of a podium finish.
Congratulations, Jakub! And we’re keeping our fingers crossed for your next competitions!
