Saara Keskitalo sets new Finnish record in 100m hurdles at Lahti GP

Pika-aituri Saara Keskitalo, 25, shattered the Finnish national record in the 100-meter hurdles on Wednesday, achieving a remarkable time of 12.64 seconds at the Lahti Grand Prix.

Keskitalo's victory saw her surpass the previous record of 12.65 seconds, which was set by Lotta Harala. Harala, also competing in the final, secured third place with a time of 12.79 seconds. Keskitalo had already improved her personal best in the preliminary heats, running 12.73 seconds, further demonstrating her strong performance leading up to the record-breaking final.

The Lahti GP also featured other impressive athletic achievements. Krista Tervo claimed victory in the women's hammer throw with a distance of 72.45 meters. Young talent Pinja Kärhä also excelled, improving her personal best twice and achieving 70.73 meters, placing her sixth on the all-time under-20 list.

In the men's javelin, Oliver Helander was the top Finnish competitor, breaking the 80-meter mark for the first time this season with a throw of 80.73 meters. The event was won by Ukraine's Artur Felfner with 83.11 meters. Santtu Heikkinen surprised in the men's 1,500 meters, finishing as the best Finn with a personal best of 3:36.51. Hilla Uusimäki also posted a strong performance in the women's 400-meter hurdles, setting a personal best of 54.63 seconds, just shy of the national record.