Kristina Rakocevic in the discus at the IAAF World Youth Championships Cali 2015 (© Getty Images)
Montenegro has claimed only one medal at the World U20 Championships, but the tiny Balkan nation – in terms of size and athletics stature – could claim their second title in Bydgoszcz courtesy of a discus thrower who is already hitting big distances.
Kristina Rakocevic finished 11th in the final two years ago, but with two more seasons of hard training in the bank, the 18-year-old now leads the 2016 world U20 list with 58.30m. A repeat of this distance in Bydgoszcz will put her in prime position to follow in the footsteps of Marija Vukovic, who won the high jump title in Moncton six years ago.
Moldova, another sporting minnow, has claimed just three medals in championship history. But after winning the world U18 title in Cali ahead of Rakocevic last year, Alexandra Emilianov will be looking to capture back-to-back age-group titles and earn Moldova’s first gold medal at these championships. Still only 16, Emilianov is ranked third this year with 55.69m.
The USA will challenge for a brace of medals with their pairing of Elena Bruckner and Kiana Phelps, currently second and sixth on the 2016 world U20 list with 56.94m and 53.88m respectively.
Shanice Love will be looking to emulate some of her compatriots who have excelled in the event on the men’s side in recent years with a rare Jamaican medal in the technical events.
Steven Mills for the IAAF
