His close-cropped hair died bright red above a white headband, the lithe Idowu set a personal best of 17.81 metres with his fourth jump at a rainy and breezy Olympic Stadium yesterday to add the continental crown to his world title from Berlin last year.
Romania’s Marian Oprea, the 2004 Olympic silver medallist, was second with 17.51 and Teddy Tamgho of France, the world’s leading jumper this year but only recently recovered from a calf injury, took bronze with 17.45.
“I seem to have a habit of jumping lifetime bests in major championships and that’s a good habit to have,” the jubilant Idowu told a news conference.
“European triple jump is the best in the world and there’s nowhere to hide,” he added. “It’s never an easy ride.”
Silver medallist at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Idowu was struck down by a virus this year and has been struggling to produce his best form.
“It’s been a funny year,” he said.
“I was suffering from illness for three weeks and tried to compete through that but the last few weeks it’s just been coming together.
“The conditions were tough today but being born and raised in Great Britain you kind of get used to that.”
Tamgho was favourite for the title after a spectacular year that included breaking the world indoor record in March and going third on the all-time list with his jump of 17.98 in New York last month.
“I’m not satisfied with my performance at all,” the disconsolate 21-year-old said.
“I was going for a win. Physically I was here but not mentally. It’s a shame.” — Reuters