Coming last can also bring about positive change.
29-year-old Belgian shot put and hammer thrower Jolian Bunkou entered the 100m hurdle race to prevent his team from being disqualified. She may have come last, but thanks to her the team will be able to compete another day.
Beomkou slowly jumped over the hurdles to avoid losing points and finished the race in 32.81 seconds. As she crossed her goal line, she was congratulated by her opponents for her willingness to do this and more for her teammates.
Spaniard Teresa Erandnaire took first place with a time of 13.22 seconds. according to to the New York Times.
The two hurdlers Belgium sent to the European Team Championship were injured, and the team was in dire need of someone capable of running the 100m race. Shot put thrower Jorian Bunkwo stepped onto the course to save his team from disqualification.https://t.co/6A68qVnMc4 pic.twitter.com/wwHIkZEV7k
— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 26, 2023
After learning that two of his teammates were injured, Beomkwo volunteered to replace them. according to to CNN. If their team had failed to produce athletes to compete in the race, they would have been completely disqualified. RELATED: (Watch this Australian swim coach cause a ruckus during a celebration)
“For me, the team is the most important thing. according to to CBS.
“There was no risk if I just dealt with it calmly. It’s probably a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be able to participate in a run like this. The race was really fun. I had a few questions in my mind. But now I can say that I am very happy with this new experience.”
In the European Team Championship every point counts.
Jolian Bunkwo 🇧🇪, 7th in the shot put, came out in the final moments of the 100m hurdles. # Silesia 2023! 👏 #EG2023
(@Belgian team, @EOC) pic.twitter.com/3rhERw9y5I
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) June 24, 2023
Bunkwo finished seventh in Friday’s shot put, according to The New York Times.
