The Atletická hala in Ostrava, Czech Republic, was electric on February 3, 2026, as the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold series kicked off with a bang. A sold-out crowd witnessed a barrage of world leads, an area record, national records, and meeting marks tumbling in one of the season’s most thrilling indoor athletics meets. Highlights included stunning performances in sprints, middle-distance races, hurdles, and field events, setting a high bar for the year ahead. Drawing from exclusive footage and results, this article recaps the key moments that had fans on their feet.
Men’s 400m: Attila Molnár’s Historic European Record
In a blistering display of speed and endurance, Hungary’s Attila Molnár obliterated the European indoor 400m record with a time of 45.01 seconds, also marking a personal best, national record, and meeting record. Pulling away from the field in the final stretch despite visible fatigue, Molnár’s aggressive start and powerful finish fulfilled the hype surrounding his 2026 season opener. Netherlands’ Jonas Phijffers followed closely with 45.48, equaling his national record, while Belgium’s Daniel Segers rounded out the podium at 45.94, a personal best.
| Place | Athlete | Country | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Attila Molnár | Hungary | 45.01 | AR, PB, NR, MR |
| 2 | Jonas Phijffers | Netherlands | 45.48 | =NR |
| 3 | Daniel Segers | Belgium | 45.94 | PB |
Women’s 60m: Zaynab Dosso Edges Out a Star-Studded Field
Italy’s Zaynab Dosso claimed victory in the women’s 60m with a season-best 7.09 seconds, holding off a fierce challenge from Luxembourg’s Patrizia Van Der Weken (7.14) in a high-quality race. Dosso’s win came after a tactical run where she avoided past pitfalls, showcasing her experience in a field that included strong contenders like Czech Republic’s Karolína Maňasová and the USA’s Semira Killebrew. The event highlighted the depth of talent, with multiple athletes dipping under 7.30.
| Place | Athlete | Country | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zaynab Dosso | Italy | 7.09 | SB |
| 2 | Patrizia Van Der Weken | Luxembourg | 7.14 | |
| 3= | Karolína Maňasová | Czech Republic | 7.17 | |
| 3= | Amy Hunt | United Kingdom | 7.17 | =SB |
Women’s 400m: Lieke Klaver’s Unstoppable World Lead
Dutch sensation Lieke Klaver continued her dominance, securing her fourth consecutive win in the arena with a world-leading 51.00 seconds. Strategic positioning allowed her to surge ahead, fending off Czech Republic’s Lurdes Gloria Manuel (51.12 PB) and Slovakia’s Emma Zapletalová (51.24 NR). Klaver’s confidence on the familiar track shone through, making this a standout performance in a competitive field.
| Place | Athlete | Country | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lieke Klaver | Netherlands | 51.00 | WL |
| 2 | Lurdes Gloria Manuel | Czech Republic | 51.12 | PB |
| 3 | Emma Zapletalová | Slovakia | 51.24 | NR |
Men’s Long Jump: Mattia Furlani Soars to Meeting Record
The men’s long jump delivered edge-of-your-seat excitement, with Italy’s 20-year-old prodigy Mattia Furlani leaping to a meeting record of 8.30 meters. His series included impressive marks like 8.21 and 8.22, outdistancing Greece’s Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou (8.23) and Bulgaria’s Bozhidar Sarâboyukov (8.21). Furlani’s bounce and precision highlighted the event’s youth-driven intensity, signaling a bright future for European long jumping.
| Place | Athlete | Country | Distance | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mattia Furlani | Italy | 8.30 | MR |
| 2 | Miltiadis Tentoglou | Greece | 8.23 | |
| 3 | Bozhidar Sarâboyukov | Bulgaria | 8.21 |
Other Notable Performances and Records
Beyond these highlights, the meet was packed with excellence. Belgium’s Eliott Crestan set a world lead and meeting record in the men’s 800m with 1:43.83, while Ireland’s Mark English lowered his national record to 1:44.23 for third place. In the women’s 1500m, Ethiopia’s Birke Haylom clocked a world lead of 4:00.62. Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska took the women’s 60m hurdles in 7.80, and the USA’s Jordan Geist led the men’s shot put with a world-leading 22.04m.
The Czech Indoor Gala 2026 not only kicked off the indoor season in spectacular fashion but also showcased emerging talents and veteran prowess. With records falling left and right, athletics fans have much to look forward to as the tour continues. For more highlights, check out the official World Athletics video.
