Last weekend, Europe’s top throwers gathered in Nicosia, Cyprus, for the latest edition of the European Throws Cup, marking the exciting kickoff to the outdoor season.
From June 27th to 29th, many of these athletes will aim to score 16 points for their countries at the European Team Championships in Madrid. The results from Nicosia offer a glimpse of what the summer might hold for Europe’s elite throwers. This piece highlights seven standout winners from the event who could repeat their success in Madrid 2025.
Silja Kosonen, Finland – Hammer Throw
At just 22 years old, this young Finnish athlete emerged as a breakout star at the European Throws Cup. Already a prominent figure in Finnish athletics, Kosonen elevated her status internationally with an exceptional performance in Nicosia. She surpassed 74 meters four times, but her final throw of 77.07 meters stole the show—shattering her own national record, claiming the world lead, and securing the eighth spot on Europe’s all-time list. After breaking her personal best twice this winter, she’ll arrive in Madrid as a rising global talent.
Vanessa Kamga, Sweden – Discus Throw
Sweden’s record holder made history at the last Olympic Games, finishing fifth in discus with a national record of 65.14 meters. In 2025, she’s showing no signs of slowing down. After transitioning from shot put to discus in local competitions, Kamga dominated in Nicosia with a throw of 63.25 meters—backed by three additional attempts over 60 meters—securing the current world lead. Compared to her performance in Leiria in 2024, where she threw six meters less, this marks her best European Cup outing yet and positions her as one of Sweden’s top assets for Madrid 2025.
Henrik Janssen, Germany – Discus Throw
At 26, this German discus thrower is a rising star in Europe. Ranked eighth at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and fifth at the 2024 European Championships in Rome, Janssen claimed his most significant victory to date in Nicosia. He exceeded 64 meters four times, with his best throw of 65.77 meters placing him third in the 2025 world rankings. A product of Germany’s esteemed throwing tradition, he helped secure second place at the 2023 European Team Championships in Silesia and will aim to deliver 16 points for his national team in Madrid.
Ioannis Kyriazis, Greece – Javelin Throw
At 29, the Greek javelin thrower is rediscovering his peak form. A former European Under-23 silver medalist in 2017, Kyriazis celebrated his first European Cup victory in Nicosia. A decade ago, he was a global prospect, throwing 88.01 meters as an under-23 athlete. Last weekend, he opened his season with an 84.38-meter throw—his best in eight years—making him the 2025 European leader and a key figure to watch for Greece in Madrid.
Jessica Inchude, Portugal – Shot Put
After narrowly missing the podium at the Apeldoorn Indoor European Championships, Portugal’s Jessica Inchude roared back in Nicosia, claiming her second European Throws Cup title (her first came in 2023). She exceeded 19 meters in her third and fourth attempts, with her winning throw of 19.21 meters setting a new personal best and ranking her second in Portugal’s all-time list. If selected alongside Auriol Dongmo, forming a formidable throwing duo, Inchude will be a standout for Portugal in Madrid 2025.
Bence Halász, Hungary – Hammer Throw
An Olympic silver medalist and Hungarian athletics legend, Bence Halász continues to dominate the European Throws Cup, winning three of the last four editions (he finished second in 2024). In Nicosia, he delivered his best performance in the competition’s history with a throw of 78.75 meters, placing him second in the 2025 world rankings. With three European medals and two World Championship bronzes to his name, Halász will be a cornerstone for Hungary—newly promoted to the First Division—at the Madrid 2025 European Team Championships.
Nick Ponzio, Italy – Shot Put
Securing a spot on Italy’s reigning European Team Championship roster is no small feat, especially in shot put, where Leonardo Fabbri and Zane Weir consistently surpass 22 meters. Yet Nick Ponzio is making his case. In Nicosia, he clinched victory with a throw of 20.60 meters—his best European Cup result to date, surpassing his second-place finish in Leiria 2022. With this performance, Ponzio is poised to fight for a place on Italy’s team in Madrid 2025.
