Filippa Fotopoulou took all six attempts available to her in Birmingham on Sunday, with her opening jump of 6.67 metres proving her best of the competition.
The result marked her highest finish to date at a European Championship and her third successive appearance in the final.
Opening jump determines final placing
According to the Cyprus Amateur Athletic Association (KOEAS), the athlete, coached by Kyriakos Antoniou, recorded her best mark in the opening round, leaving her eighth overall.
Fotopoulou said she was delighted to have reached another European final after facing uncertainty over whether she would progress.
“I really have no words. Yesterday, I was waiting to see whether I would make the top 12, and once I did, I told myself I had to get into the top eight,” she told the federation.
Focus turns to Mediterranean Games
Reflecting on a final in which the top six athletes all jumped at least 6.80 metres, Fotopoulou said the standard in the event had risen significantly.
“I think the intensity and fatigue caught up with me in the final three jumps. Making nine jumps over two days is not easy,” she said.
“Now it is time to rest. We travel tomorrow and then it is full speed ahead for the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy, where I hope the Cyprus record will come,” she added.
Source: CNA.
