Hannah jumps to silver at Euros

Hanna Knyazyeva-Minenko became the second Israeli to claim a medal at the European Athletics Championships when she won silver in the women’s triple jump final in Amsterdam.

Knyazyeva-Minenko, who has represented Israel since 2013, recorded her best jump of the season – 14.51 meters – as she joined Alex Averbukh in becoming the only other Israeli to win a medal at the European Athletics Championships.

Speaking afterwards, she said: “I’m really happy and this gives me a lot of confidence. I really wanted to hear the Hatikva national anthem, but maybe there is an advantage to finishing in second place as that means I won’t be able to relax ahead of Rio.”

The 26-year-old, who will receive a NIS 28,000 (£5,500) bonus from the Olympic Committee of Israel and the Ministry of Culture and Sport, added: “This achievement hasn’t really sunk in yet,” she added. “I was in a bad state one month ago. I had a really tough time coming back from injury and was really suffering.”

Israel was also represented in the men’s and women’s half-marathon. Yimer Getahun recorded the fastest Israeli time, finishing in a time of 1:07.02 hours, which saw her finish in 43rd position.
Korlima Chemtai, who will be running at the Rio Olympics, finished the women’s event in 40th place in 1:15.22 hours.