Jake and Beth post wins in Poland as six Scots help GB and NI to third

Monday 31st May 2021

Six Scots enhanced their reputations with fine performances for GB and NI at the European Team Championships in Poland.

The British team, captained by Jake Wightman, ultimately finished in third place overall in the seven-nation event in Chorzow – a best outcome in this particular event since 2013.

Wightman and Beth Dobbin posted wins on Sunday to earn maximum points and indeed all six Scots enjoyed to four finishes in their events.

Beth also contributed a strong first leg as GB and NI won the Women’s 4x100m at the close of the Saturday programme, to help the British team lead overnight.

Poland however headed the final table with 181.50 points with Italy second on 179 and GB and NI third with 174.

Here’s the performance summary for our six athletes as they happened (in their individual events):

Kirsty Law was third in the Women’s discus with 58.13m

Will Grimsey was second in the Men’s High Jump with 2.24m

Chris Bennett was fourth in the Men’s Hammer with 74.09m

Jake Wightman was first in the Men’s 800m with a run of 1:45.71

Beth Dobbin was first in the Women’s 200m with a run of 22.78

Erin Wallace was fourth in the Women’s 1500m with a run of 4:15.65

Well done to all athletes and their families, coaches and the clubs who have developed them over many years.

Had to do my bit for the team ? ?? https://t.co/QFdSSN6cRV

— Jake Wightman (@JakeSWightman) May 30, 2021

‘The only real aim from the race was to win it,’ said Jake.

‘I think putting ourselves top of the leader board after day one, I knew I had to do my bit to keep us there. So to get the full points is big for me. I’ve just tried to lead by example.

‘It’s awesome to be captain. I thought that would be something I’d get near the end of my career so for Christian (Malcolm) to trust I can do that now is an honour. I won’t take much credit for how the team has done because they have all been on another level.

‘Every athlete who has earned their first senior vest this weekend should be very proud of their performance. They’ve all given 100% and that is all you can do.

‘It’s great having the team environment, there are no medals individually, so to be competing for one another is very rare and I feel like everyone is making the most of that.’

.@BethDobbin ?? contributes maximum points to the British team tally with victory in the women's 200m in Silesia! ?#ETCH2021 pic.twitter.com/IJWz9xxGxP

— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) May 30, 2021

After her heroics in the 4x100m relay, Dobbin was in individual 200m action on day two and produced a marvellous display to take the victory.

Even as the rain started to fall, it was no distraction for the Edinburgh athlete as she fired out of the blocks and was well in contention as they hit the home straight.

By her own admission, the second half of her race is her strongest, and it showed in the Silesian Stadium as she comfortably moved away from the Italian Dalia Kaddari to secure another seven points for the team. Her time was a season best of 22.78 (+0.6).

‘After we got the win yesterday with the 4x100m girls, I had to win again,’ said Beth, with that Season’s Best time inside the Olympic standards asked by British Athletics.

‘The feeling you get for a win, there is nothing quite like it. I’m buzzing with that race and the time. I wasn’t expecting it to be that quick because when we were in the blocks I could just feel the rain hitting the back of my neck, it was so grim.

‘But I absolutely went for it and fought to the end, I cannot ask for any more. My finish is my strength. It hasn’t been quite there for the first couple of races of the season. You can’t practice it in training, you need to get the races in. ‘

?Second place in my senior debut at the Euro Team Champs ??

The big heights are on their way… ?

Amazing opportunity to represent @britishathletics and glad to bring home good points for the team ? pic.twitter.com/LGwol0SDZH

— Will Grimsey (@WillGrimsey) May 29, 2021

Tags: Beth Dobbin, Chris Bennett, Erin Wallace, Euro Team Champs, Jake Wightman, Kirsty Law, Poland, Will Grimsey