2024-04-16 09:44:57
The 21-year-old athlete, who started the season on April 7, recorded the best result of the season in the world and the tenth in the history of the discus throw in the first competition (71.39 m). However, on April 14 produced a party of stable and powerful shots (72.21 – 70.32 – 72.89 – 70.51 – 74.35 – 70.50) that exceeded the expectations of many. The winner surpassed Roje Ston (69.05 m) and Mika Sosna (68.96 m), who were in second and third place in the competition, by more than 5 meters.
It is symbolic that after breaking the world record, the athlete overtook his father, Virgilijas Aleknas, who has been with him since 2000. owned the Lithuanian record (73.88 m) and the second result in the history of the event.
Mantas Jusis, who coaches the brothers Mykolas and Martyn Aleknas, told the Lengvoji.lt portal that he had a good feeling after his student’s first throw: “After Mykolas’ first attempt, it was clear that there would be a world record. I just needed a better throw, because the first one was quite poor and the disc flew up (72.21 m). I was waiting for that record shot.
The tests burned a little, but when they started to measure the fifth shot and I heard the record numbers, the emotions were very good.
The entire Aleknai family has such traditions, because previously Virgis was the boss of the house with 73.88 m, now he is no longer the first in the house, for now he is the second, and maybe he will be the third (laughs).
Good emotions, not so much because of the world record, but because of Virgil’s improved result. It seems to me that Mykolas still has a reserve for the future.”
In Ramona, a town of just over 500 residents, this spring’s throwing competition features an open field and strong winds.
In addition, there is more than one throwing sector here, so the most favorable one is always chosen. These excellent conditions give the participants the opportunity to improve their personal records, and on Saturday the discus thrower Ieva Gumbs took advantage of this.
Not only did the Lithuanian improve her personal record by almost 3 meters, but also the third among the country’s track and field athletes fulfilled the norms of the Paris Olympics, when she threw the discus 64.98 m.
“I think that every spring, better and better throwers will come to this competition, who will try for the world record.
I think we will get world champions Kristjan Cech, Daniel Stahl and other best throwers here. If Mykolas had not done it now, someone would have broken the record next year. It should be understood here that the best conditions for breaking records are provided, so athletes will want to take advantage of it.
Before the competition, we did not have the goal of necessarily setting a world record. If it didn’t work, we would fulfill this wish later. Mykolos’ career, I think, will continue for at least another 15 years, if everything goes well and he doesn’t lose his temper.
A fun celebration for Lithuania and the entire history of athletics, someone still needed to break the record, this process took too long. However, the main goal of the year is the Olympic Games.
We want to prepare for them both physically, technically and psychologically,” said M. Jusis about the specifics of the competition and the significance of the record.
True, the coach mentioned the possibility of improving the record a week ago. According to him, athletes of this level must deal with pressure and high expectations: “I already put pressure on Mykol a week ago, saying that people should watch the competition, be interested in athletics. I mentioned that a world record can be achieved, such a possibility exists.
The European Championship and the Olympic Games are approaching, so athletes must be used to increased stress and attention.
The student coped with the task perfectly, we took a step forward in our preparation. There will always be pressure on the leaders, it’s an integral part of sport.”
M. Alekna, who started his professional career in 2018, has already become world vice-champion (2022 Oregon, USA), won bronze at the World Championship (2023 Budapest, Hungary), won gold at the European Championship (2022 Munich, Germany).
In addition, the lightweight athlete can boast of the world and European U20 titles, the European U23 gold medal and two first places in the Lithuanian championships. M. Jusis, who trains Vilnius, does not hide that he has complete faith in his student and is not afraid to raise expectations for him:
“I kept telling him I was going to break this record and he laughed at me. I said that he would easily meet the standard for the World Youth Championship, but he was incredible here. I said he would break the youth world record. It didn’t improve on this, but it was close. I believe in my students all the time.”
Although Mykolos’ results shown in the first two competitions signal an excellent sports form, according to the coach, it is important to have it in the summer as well, because in the last year there was a noticeable drop in results at the beginning of June, which did not allow him to win the NCAA title.
More competition and less training and adjustment of loads will be the essential changes to reach June 7-12. To perform well at the European Championship in Rome (Italy).
“It is a difficult task, because Mykolas himself states that he is not in great sports shape, but his first peak is when he starts participating in competitions.
He misses them, is driven and motivated. Then there’s a slump in early June as they don’t win the NCAA championships and then climb back up. in 2022 didn’t win the NCAAs, didn’t last year either, so that’s something to avoid now.
He is in good physical shape all the time in August. Last year, at the Lithuanian championship held at the end of July, the athlete was in very good athletic shape, maybe even the best.
We hope to reach the second peak this year at the European Championship, and the third at the Olympic Games. I think that it is possible to do that with a young athlete”, – the coach reviewed the changes in M. Alekna’s form and the corrections of preparation.
Now M. Alekna is waiting for another start across the Atlantic, and on May 19. the world record holder should start at the “Diamond League” stage in Morocco. Brother Martynas will also participate here, and after this competition both athletes and coach Mantas will return to Lithuania to prepare for the summer starts.
“Mykolas stands out for his discus throwing technique, muscle elasticity and power, specific power of throwers.
He really wants to be the best discus thrower in the world. We hope to avoid injuries and be in the best shape for the biggest starts. We don’t have specific goals, we return to the workplace and work calmly”, – M. Jusis distinguished the pupil phenomenon and this year’s goals.
We remind you that from June 7 to 12 The qualification system for the European Championship in Rome will close on May 26. Currently, 10 representatives of the country have fulfilled the norm. Selection for the Olympic Games will close on June 30, currently 3 Lithuanian track and field athletes have a ticket to Paris.
2024-04-16 09:44:57