Seven weeks after Örgryte's high jumper took the Swedish Championship gold indoors in Växjö, Engla Nilsson stood as a bronze medalist in the indoor European Championship in Apeldoorn.
The 19-year-old championship debutant surprised everyone in the women's high jump final and took the medal after being faultless over 1.92 meters, an improved personal record by three centimeters from the "pers" in the qualifying round earlier in the week.
The podium was shared with stars Jaroslava Mahutjich, Ukraine, and Angelina Topic, Serbia, whom Nilsson was "starstruck" by during the qualifying round, when the Swede was third-lowest ranked among the 19 starters.
The world record holder and Olympic gold medalist Mahutjich took the gold on 1.99 and Topic became second on 1.95.
It's actually completely crazy. Mahutjich, Topic, and I. I don't even know what to say, says Engla Nilsson, with tears of joy in her eyes, and continues:
My dad is here, my coach is here, and the rest of the family is following from home. I saw my dad and he started crying. There are so many emotions right now.
Nilsson had a nervous wait for the bronze since she had ripped out on 1.95 when the British Morgan Lake had saved jumps for higher heights.
It was so clearly super nervous. I've never felt such tension before.
More competitions and sponsors?
Nilsson is aware that the bronze will lead to attention both at home in Kungälv, Sweden, and internationally.
I understand that this will open up many more opportunities, both competitions, sponsors, and everything possible. I hope so. I'm so grateful for all this.
Before Sunday's European Championship final, Nilsson talked to her boyfriend.
He believes in me, absolutely, but was like "try not to come last". It was a little funny comment. I felt that I should do everything to not come last. But third? It was completely crazy.
Can be China
In just under two weeks, the indoor World Championship in Nanjing, China, will begin, and Nilsson is open to participating.
We'll see, it's the top list there, so we'll see.
National team captain Kajsa Bergqvist says that Nilsson will be registered from the Swedish side.
Right now, she would be a placement outside (the international top list). 1.93 is the 12th result on this list right now. It's enough for one or two to withdraw, and then she's in.
Born: May 20, 2005 (19 years old).
Lives: Kungälv.
Club: Örgryte.
Personal record: 1.92.
Major championship merits: European Championship (indoor): bronze (2025), Swedish Championship (indoor): gold (2025), junior European Championship: fifth (2023).
Current: Took a surprising bronze in the indoor European Championship in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, with a new personal record on Sunday evening.
