Belgium shot put champ saves team by running hurdles

Jolien Boumkwo pictured in action in the 100 meter hurdles race at the European Athletics Team Championships. Belga

Belgium's shot put champion saves team by running hurdles

By Alyssa Clang | Last updated Jun 26, 2023 10:47 AM ET

The European Athletics Championships, taking place this week in Silesia, Poland, nearly saw an unfortunate disqualification after Belgium's hurdlers all got injured before they were able to compete.

Enter Jolien Boumkwo: Belgian shot put champion, team player and unlikely hurdling hero of our times.

Boumkwo, in a selfless bid to keep Belgium active in the meet, competed against some of Europe's finest hurdlers in place of her injured teammates. Her mission? Make it across the finish line without knocking anything over or causing a false start. Doing so would keep Belgium alive at the meet and save the nation from immediate disqualification.

She performed beautifully, finishing clean just nineteen seconds behind first-placed Teresa Errandonea of Spain.

Every point *does* count at the European Team Championships!

Seventh in the shot put, Jolien Boumkwo steps in for the 100m hurdles at the very last minute in #Silesia2023! #EG2023

(@TeamBelgium, @The_EOC) pic.twitter.com/3rhERw9y5I
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) June 24, 2023

Boumkwo was hailed by athletes all over Europe for her endeavors. By successfully completing the race she kept Belgium active in the meet and won legions of fans for her unshakeable team spirit.

"We sometimes do hurdles in training, so I knew how to do it," Boumkwo said after the race, via The Guardian. "I thought it was a special experience, because much more than with the shot put I had the feeling that everyone was looking at me."

And if that sounds scary, Boumkwo disagrees.

"I try not to take myself too seriously as an athlete. The past has taught me that that will only make you cramp."

Alyssa Clang

Alyssa is a Boston-born Californian with a passion for global sport. She can yell about misplaced soccer passes in five languages and rattle off the turns of Silverstone in her sleep. You can find her dormant Twitter account at @alyssaclang, but honestly, you’re probably better off finding her here

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