Kristjan Čeh Dominates Brussels to Win His Second Diamond League Discus Crown

Kristjan Čeh saved his biggest throw for the biggest moment. In the Diamond League final in Brussels, the Slovenian launched the discus 71.29 meters to set a meeting record and claim the title for the second time in his career.

The result came after a difficult opening. Čeh fouled his first two attempts, then produced the winning throw in the third round. He never matched it in his final three attempts, with his next-best mark reaching 69.73 meters.

Mykolas Alekna finished second with 70.14 meters, 1.15 meters behind Čeh. Jamaica’s Olympic champion Roje Stona placed third with 68.86 meters. Čeh had already won twice in the season’s premier series, but kept his most important victory for the final in the Belgian capital.

The triumph capped a year in which Čeh established himself at the top of the event. In April, he raised his personal and Slovenian record to 72.61 meters. In August, he defended his European title in Birmingham with a 72.51-meter throw, also setting a European Championships record.

Slovenia’s participation in Brussels continues on Saturday, when Tina Šutej competes in the pole vault. Matic Ian Guček will complete the Slovenian appearances in the 400-meter hurdles.