Lawrence Okoye is the European U23 discus champion after a winning throw of 60.70m in yesterday's final in Ostrava.

The 19-year-old Croydon Harrier, who broke the UK discus record a week earlier, claimed gold by beating Ukranian Mykyta Nesterenko, who threw 59.67m.

Having qualified for the final with a throw of 59.97m, the furthest of any of the 12 qualifiers, Okoye found himself down in fifth-place after the first round having thrown just 53.97m.

He responded in the second round though by throwing himself into the lead with a 59.24m effort.

He was briefly replaced as Nesterenko put in his best effort in the third round only to see Okoye come straight back at him and produce his winning throw in the same round.

Okoye fouled the fifth round but was consistent in rounds four and six with throws of 56.39m and 57.49m as a further challenge from Nesterenko failed to materialise.