Croatia’s rising athletics star Jana Koščak has achieved a remarkable golden heptathlon hat-trick by winning gold at the European U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland.
At just 19 years old, Koščak secured this victory in an intense competition against Hungary’s Sarolta Kriszt, clinching the title with a career-best 800m time of 2:14.18 and finishing with 6,293 points—equaling her own Croatian record.
This win solidifies Koščak’s status as a dominant force in junior heptathlon, adding to her previous titles as the reigning World U20 and former European U18 champion. Her performance featured personal bests and a strong finish, overcoming pressure all the way to the last event. With this, she has not only topped the 2025 world U20 rankings but also brought Croatia its 11th gold and 27th overall medal in European junior athletics championships since the country’s independence.
This milestone marks a triumphant conclusion to Koščak’s junior career, overcoming prior injury setbacks, and foreshadows a promising transition to senior-level competition. Her dedication and resilience stand as an inspiration in Croatian sports and athletics on the global stage.
Key highlights of the championship win:
- Equaled Croatian heptathlon record with 6,293 points
- Career-best 800m run of 2:14.18 to clinch gold narrowly by 42 points
- Dominant performance in high jump (1.92m) and shot put (14.00m)
- Strong javelin throw extending lead before final event
- Overcame fierce competition from Hungarian rival Sarolta Kriszt
This golden hat-trick crowns Koščak’s outstanding junior career and positions her for future success among senior elite athletes.
