Julian Weber wins javelin title in Birmingham; first 90m+ throw in European championships

European Athletics Championships 2026: Julian Weber ‘shocks himself’ with record throw to win javelin title

The German athlete produced a championship-record 90.40m on his last attempt to win his second European javelin title in Birmingham.

Julian Weber saved his best for last to win the javelin throw title at the European Athletics Championships 2026 in Birmingham on Saturday.

The 31-year-old German athlete produced a championship-record 90.40m at the Alexander Stadium with his final attempt to reclaim the European title and become the first man to throw beyond 90m at the continental meet.

Weber took an early lead with an 83.71m opening throw but compatriot Nick Thumm moved ahead in the fifth round with a personal-best 83.76m.

The two-time Olympian responded in the final round, unleashing a massive 90.40m to move back into first place and seal the gold medal.

Weber’s effort surpassed the previous championship record of 89.72m, set by Great Britain’s Steve Backley 28 years ago.

Thumm won the silver medal with a personal-best 83.76m, while Latvia’s Patriks Gailums took bronze with 82.97m.

Weber, who won the European title in Munich in 2022 with an 87.66m effort, had finished runner-up to Czechia’s Jakub Vadlejch in Rome in 2024 after hurling 85.94m. His victory in Birmingham marked a return to the top of the continental podium.

“It was just amazing. I was struggling a lot at the beginning of the competition,” Weber said. “I had a problem with my run-up. I wasn’t getting into my rhythm so I couldn’t throw far.

“I knew I just had to be calm, be ready and it would come. I’m so happy I managed to do it on the last throw. The last one was just perfect.

“I shocked myself with that last throw. I couldn’t believe it. I knew I could throw that far, I knew if I could push really hard into it, I could do that.”

Weber’s 90.40m was his third throw beyond 90m. His personal best remains 91.51m, set at the Zurich Diamond League in 2025, while he also recorded 91.06m at the Doha Diamond League last year.

The German will next turn his attention to the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21, where he is set to face India’s two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra and Sri Lanka’s Commonwealth Games champion Rumesh Pathirage .

Weber had beaten Chopra at the Doha Diamond League last year, producing a 91.06m final-round throw to win the competition, while Chopra finished second with a 90.23m national record .

Pathirage, meanwhile, will enter Lausanne as the 2026 world leader after his 92.67m throw at the Rome Diamond League. Weber’s 90.40m mark is second on the 2026 world leading list.

Picture by 2026 Getty Images

Athletics | European Championships | Birmingham | United Kingdom

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