Montenegrin shot put record holder Tomaš Đurović has secured his place at the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, earning one of the final qualifying positions in a closely contested European ranking. The Montenegrin athlete finished 27th with 1,097 qualification points, placing him among the 30 athletes who qualified for the men’s shot put competition.
Đurović’s qualification came after the completion of the qualifying period and was decided by a particularly narrow margin. His 1,097 points were enough to put him just ahead of several competitors, including Ali Peker and Iason Machairas, who each finished on 1,096 points. Jephté Vogel followed with 1,094, while Odysseas Mouzenidis ended on 1,083. Just above Đurović, Stefan Wieland occupied 26th place with 1,111 points.
Đurović Joins Montenegro’s Birmingham Team
The result represents an important achievement for Montenegrin athletics, particularly because the qualification race demonstrated how small differences can determine who reaches one of Europe’s biggest athletics events. Đurović will now have the opportunity to compete against the continent’s leading shot putters on a major international stage.
He will not be the only Montenegrin athlete representing the country in Birmingham. High jumper Marija Vuković had already secured her qualification after clearing 1.98 meters, adding another experienced Montenegrin name to the country’s European Championship delegation.
The Birmingham championships are set to bring together athletes from across Europe for a week of competition in numerous athletics disciplines. With more than 1,500 competitors expected from 48 European countries, the event will provide a major platform for athletes seeking medals, personal achievements and valuable international experience. European Athletics’ official championship information confirms Birmingham as the host of the 2026 continental championships.
For Đurović, the competition begins immediately on the opening day of the championships. The men’s shot put is scheduled for August 10, with qualification at 12:40 and the final later that evening at 20:30. His immediate goal will be to make the most of his opportunity against a highly competitive European field.
A Major Opportunity for Montenegrin Athletics
The qualification also continues a positive period for Montenegrin athletics, with Đurović joining Vuković as one of the country’s representatives at the continental championships. Reaching Birmingham is already a significant accomplishment, but the next challenge will be to turn that qualification into a strong performance when the competition begins.
With the difference between qualifying and missing out decided by only a handful of ranking points, Đurović’s achievement underlines the competitiveness of European athletics. Montenegro will now have two athletes to follow in Birmingham, with Đurović preparing to put his national record holder status to the test on one of the biggest stages of the European athletics calendar.
