Silja Kosonen Wins Gold for Finland

BIRMINGHAM, England – Finnish hammer thrower Silja Kosonen made history on Wednesday by winning the gold medal at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.

The 23-year-old secured victory with a best throw of 76.28 metres, which she delivered in the third round of the competition. This marked her first-ever senior championship medal.

"I am now able to call myself a European champion," Kosonen said after her win.

This gold medal is Finland's first-ever senior championship medal in the women's hammer throw. Kosonen is only the sixth Finnish woman to win a European athletics title.

Italy's Sara Fantini took the silver medal with a throw of 74.35 metres, while Norway's Beatrice Nedberge Llano claimed bronze with 72.88 metres.

Kosonen had come close to medals before, finishing fourth at the European Championships in Rome and the World Championships in Tokyo. But in Birmingham, she finally broke through.

"It sounds a lot better than being forever fourth or close to the medals," Kosonen told

The victory opened Finland's medal account at the championships. Kosonen received her medal as Finnish supporters in the stadium sang the national anthem. She thanked her coach, Jani Pihkanen, who has worked with her for eight years.

"It meant a lot. We have worked for this," Kosonen said.