BELGRADE: British sprinter Richard Kilty successfully defended his 60-metre title at the European indoor athletics championships on Saturday while Poland’s Pavel Maslak claimed a third 400m gold.

After compatriot Andy Pozzi had won the 60m hurdles on Friday, Kilty easily held on to his crown winning in 6.54sec ahead of Slovakia’s Jan Volko (6.58) and Austin Hamilton of Sweden (6.63).

Maslak, meanwhile, dominated the 400m for a third time winning in a dominant time of 45.77sec with Rafal Omelko of the Czech Republic taking silver in 46.08 and Liemarvin Bonevacia of the Netherlands claiming bronze in a time of 46.26.

Britain was also celebrating with Laura Muir, who has already set three European records this year, taking victory in the 1,500 metres.

On Sunday, the 23-year-old will attempt to add the 3,000m gold to her collection.

Only Poland’s Lidia Chojecka in 2007 in Birmingham has achieved such a double triumph.

“In the last few years, the medals have got away from me so I am relieved to have finally won a gold,” said Muir.

Olympic champion Ekaterini Stefanidi of Greece eased to victory in the pole vault with a height of 4.85m, beating out a challenge from Germany’s Lisa Ryzih who finished on 4.75m.

In the 400m, France’s Floria Guei added the indoor title to her bronze medal outdoors in last year’s European championships.

Lithuania’s Airine Palsyte stunned Olympic champion Ruth Beitia to win the high jump with a personal best of 2.01m.

Despite the defeat, 37-year-old Spaniard Beitia insisted she would be chasing the world title outdoors in London in August.

“This is not goodbye,” she said.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2017