European Champion Kristjan Čeh Targets Virgilijus Alekna’s Record Before Vilnius Visit

Kristjan Čeh is heading to Vilnius with a clear target: throw farther than ever before. The Slovenian discus thrower, who recently defended his European title in Birmingham, says he hopes to finish the season with a personal record at the Sept. 12 event.

Čeh calls 2026 the most successful season of his career. His throwing technique, which had troubled him for several years, has stabilized, and he has sent the discus beyond 72 meters at three competitions. He credits his wife, Estonian hammer thrower Anna Maria Čeh, who has become his coach, for helping him find the key to that progress. She will also travel to Vilnius.

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Mykolas always provides extra motivation because he is a great discus thrower and is always in good form.

The competition will bring Čeh together with Mykolas Alekna, the world-record holder and one of Lithuania’s leading athletes. Alekna currently leads their head-to-head contests this season 3-1, but Čeh says the rivalry gives him extra motivation. “Mykolas always provides extra motivation because he is a great discus thrower and is always in good form,” he said. “It is always enjoyable to compete against him and pursue good results.”

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It is always enjoyable to compete against him and pursue good results.

Olympic champion Roje Stona will add another major challenge. Čeh said the entry list includes many strong discus throwers and predicted a close contest in Vilnius. He also expects passionate spectators and hopes to hear Rammstein’s music at the stadium.

Čeh’s goal is simple: “The only goal is to throw far.” He said training has gone very well and that he remains in strong form. With the season ending in Lithuania, he hopes the event will produce throws beyond 70 meters and improve the record set by Virgilijus Alekna nearly two decades ago.

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The only goal is to throw far.