Shot putter Leo Fabbri gave Italy their first gold medal of the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham on the opening day on Monday, dominating the contest and prevailing with a throw of 22.31 metres to retain the title he won in 2024.
    His team mate Zane Weir took silver with a throw of 21.12m.
    "I wanted to beat the championship record," Fabbri said, referring to the mark of 22.45m he set in Rome two years ago.
    "But I had a great time.
    "I'm really happy.

It was wonderful to do this one-two.
    "We proved we're the best in Europe".
    Italy's world champion long-jumper Mattia Furlani, however, said his season is over after he felt a hamstring injury he suffered in China in May flare up again after his first leap on Monday.
   
   

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