Three More Titles On Day Three Of European U18 Championships For Novuna GB & NI
by 19th July 2026
The Novuna GB & NI team added three golds and a bronze to their medal haul on day three of the European U18 Athletics Championships in Rieti.
Bronson Hearn-Smith (Colchester Harriers AC, Stephen Garnham), Moyo Stumpenhusen (Rugby & Northampton AC, Gary Herrington), Samuel James (Kingston AC and Poly Harriers, James Wild) and Magnus Riddell (Tynedale Harriers & AC, Peter Venus) were the medallists on a successful day.
Hearn-Smith, Stumpenhusen and James all smashed championship records on the way to 200m, discus and high jump golds.
James cleared 2.25m to equal the British U18 record set by Steve Smith in 1990, setting a World U18 Lead and Championship record in the process, as well as jumping a height no person his age has jumped in 12 years. Teammate Eli Adams also impressed, clearing 2.03m, close to his personal best.
Stumpenhusen set a new British U18 record in the men’s discus with a 64.92m throw, while Chu Ononogbu (Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers, Clyde Gordon) also made the European final and finished 12th.
“I’m ecstatic, I’m over the moon, a PB. It’s a great feeling, an amazing feeling. Myself as team captain it’s important for me to be there for there for the other athletes but the second aspect for me is putting out a performance out as well.”
Hearn-Smith then blitzed the men’s 200m competition record by clocking in at 20.70 to take home gold.
Speaking after his race he said: “I’ve got no words, I don’t know what’s going on, I didn’t think it would be so big of a time. I am so happy, so happy for everyone else as well.”
Riddell earned men’s 800m bronze with a time of 1:50.12, just pipping Charlie Chambers (Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC, Mike Chambers), who finished fourth in 1:50.38.
Douglas Knox (Springburn Harriers, Alasdair Strange) and Oliver Downs (Invicta East Kent AC, Alex Pope) both had excellent days in the decathlon.
Knox sits third overnight, just 15 points behind second, with Downs poised in fifth a mere 14 further back.
Holly Ryan (Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers, Ty Holden) and Shaiya Kenion (Coventry Godiva Harriers, Brian Darby) finished fifth and eighth in the women’s 200m final, while Noa Chodokufa (Woodford Green AC with Essex Ladies, Paul Franklin) finished fifth in the women’s 400m final.
Lucia Bertacchini (Winchester & District AC, Andrew Fisher) was third in her 400m hurdles semi-final, clocking a huge PB of 58.11 to progress.
Jorjia March (Chelmsford AC, John Clarke) surpassed her 800m PB to reach the final with a time of 2:05.83, while Ezrah Harrold (Chelmsford AC, David Fewell) just missed out with her time of 2:06.82.
Lucas Cameron (Tonbridge AC) ran a strong race in the men’s 400m final, finishing seventh in 47.92.
Isabella Moulton (Woodford Green AC with Essex Ladies, Tony Jarrett) cruised through the women’s 100m hurdles heats, equalling her PB of 13.46.
Tito Odunaike (Marshall Milton Keynes, David Johnson) and Ned Scott (Winchester & District AC, Bronwin Carter) were both automatic qualifiers for the triple jump and javelin finals, while Rhian Mitchell (Kilmarnock Harriers & AC, Kevin Mitchell) pushed hard in shot put qualifying, with a best attempt of 16.29m.