History Repeats in Ostrava: Crestan & Molnar Rewrite the Record Books?

Ostrava, Czech Republic : History truly repeated itself at the Czech Indoor Gala as Eliott Crestan and Attila Molnar once again delivered record-breaking performances, headlining a spectacular evening in Ostrava that saw nine meeting records fall.

Belgium’s Crestan produced one of the standout runs of the night in the men’s 800m, storming to victory in 1:43.83 — a world-class time that lifted him to fourth on the world indoor all-time list and shattered his own meeting record. Poland’s Maciej Wyderka clocked 1:44.07 to set a new Polish indoor record, while Ireland’s Mark English finished third in 1:44.23, rewriting the Irish record yet again. The race was hailed as one of the fastest indoor 800m contests in history, with best-ever marks for multiple finishing positions.

Meanwhile, Hungary’s Attila Molnar delivered pure speed in the men’s 400m, blazing to 45.01 — a new European indoor record, breaking the long-standing mark previously held by Karsten Warholm and Thomas Schönlebe. Dutch runner Jonas Phijffers finished second in 45.48, equalling the Dutch indoor record.

Other notable highlights included:

Lieke Klaver winning the women’s 400m in a world-leading 51.00

Birke Haylom (Ethiopia) claiming the 1500m in a world-leading 4:00.62

Isaac Nader setting a 3000m meeting and Portuguese indoor record in 7:38.05

Mattia Furlani soaring to 8.30m in the long jump, another meeting record

Jordan Geist throwing 22.04m to dominate the shot put

Pia Skrzyszowska and Jakub Szymański leading Poland to a 60m hurdles double

Reflecting on the night’s brilliance, the event felt like a replay of last season — but faster, deeper, and more historic. With back-to-back wins and records, Crestan and Molnar have firmly established Ostrava as their personal record playground.

Credit: World Athletics / Athletics Weekly