European Athletics Championships: gold for Italy’s Derkach in the triple jump

Italia has won its sixth medal – its third gold – at the European Athletics Championships currently taking place at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. Dariya Derkach secured the gold in the triple jump with a leap of 14.60 metres on her fourth attempt. The 33-year-old Italian finished ahead of Belgium’s Saliyya Guisse, who came second with 14.46, and Bulgaria’s Aleksandra Nacheva with 14.40. The other Italian competitor, Erika Saraceni, was eliminated after her first three jumps.

“Definitely the best evening of my career. I was under immense pressure today because I knew I could do well, but as you know, every competition is different.” So said Darya Derkach, gold medallist in the triple jump at the European Athletics Championships currently taking place in Birmingham. 2025 was an incredibly tough year, with two ankle operations. “Last year was really tough,” she continued, “but perhaps I still had that fire inside me that kept burning, and that’s what brought me here.” Her determination proved stronger than her composure, as she took the lead straight away; and even on that final jump – when the gold was already as good as hers, with only she left to compete – she remained focused right to the end, still trying to do even better. “I told myself, ‘Yes, yes, you’ve got another attempt – why waste it? There’ll be plenty of time to celebrate later.’ I’m absolutely delighted.”