Nils Laros and Femke Broders-Boll produced standout performances at the FBK Games as several athletes cemented their credentials ahead of this summer’s European Championships in Birmingham.
With less than two months to go until the European Championships in Birmingham, Dutch stars Niels Laros and Femke Broders-Boal were in action on Sunday (June 21st) at the FBK Games in Hengelo.
Broders-Boll continued his impressive transition to the 800m to secure his first outdoor victory, while Laros returned from injury in style with a lifetime best over two laps.
Just five days after making her 800m outdoor debut in Ostrava, behind Switzerland’s Audrey Verreaux, Broders-Boll controlled the women’s race from the front before coming off the final bend to win in 1:57.41.
The two-time world 400m hurdles champion was never in danger as Australia’s Abby Caldwell finished second in 1:58.22 and France’s Clara Lieberman finished third in a personal best of 1:58.69. Impressively, the first six athletes all broke the two-minute barrier.
“I expected to be in front after 500m, which is different in Ostrava,” Broders-Boll said. “I have to train for all these kinds of races. Today I wanted to run well in the first 500 meters and then accelerate to the end.”
Broders-Ball’s rapid development over the 800m adds another intriguing dimension to the middle distance events ahead of Birmingham, where she could emerge as a genuine medal contender.
Laros was equally impressive as she made a triumphant return to competition from the injury problems that sidelined her since last year’s world championships in Tokyo.
The Olympic and world 1500m finalist produced a superb run to win the men’s 800m in a personal best of 1:43.83, sub-1:44 for the first time in his life.
The 21-year-old led the Dutch one-two, with European indoor champion Sam Chapple second in 1:44.63, just ahead of Croatia’s Marino Bludek, who took third in the same time.
Elsewhere, world champion Jessica Schilder cheered on the hosts in the shootout. The Dutch record holder threw 20.03m in the final round to make it eight seasons this season where he has broken the 20m mark. Dutch athlete Jorind van Klinken was second with 19.34 m.
Nadine Visser also claimed victory for the host nation, battling a -1.8m/s headwind to win the 100m hurdles in 12.52.
In international highlights, Jamaica’s Brianna Liston swam under 11 seconds to win the women’s 100m in 10.99, while South Africa’s Akani Simbin edged compatriot Bradley Nkoana in the men’s sprint. Both were clocked at 10.08, Simbine prevailing by just three thousandths of a second.
Egypt’s Bassan Hemida produced a storming finish to win the women’s 400m in a national record 50.10, edging out Ireland’s Charlene Maudsley and Dutch favorite Liek Claver in the closing metres.
World record holder Yaroslava Mahuchych of Ukraine maintained her unbeaten record in 2026 with victory in the high jump, clearing 1.94m after three failed attempts at 2.00m.
