The Barcelona woman lowers her national record of 400 hurdles, the third European mark in a summer that promises
Katir: “Many years waiting for nationality, they didn’t give me the medal before for that”
MADRID, 25 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Catalan athlete Sara Gallego grabbed the spotlight at the 102nd Spanish Outdoor Championship that is taking place in Nerja (Málaga) with a new national record in the 400-meter hurdles, the high point of a second high-level day in speed and opening mouth with the excitement of the 800 and 1,500 men, as well as Mohamed Katir’s title in 5,000.
Gallego, 21, had been going strong, at least decisively, since not even tripping over a fence like what happened last week in Madrid prevents him from destroying records. On the Enrique López Cuenca track, the Barcelonan signed a perfect race and a 54.34.
The Spanish record holder improved the 54.87 that she brought from the final of the Iberdrola League and, dominating in lower categories, reaffirms her leap in quality in a summer with World and European Championships. For the continental event, at the moment, a Gallego who perfectly exploits her change in the pace structure, would be on the podium with the third best European record of the year.
The second day in Nerja also left the titles of the versatile María Vicente, in triple jump; Manuel Bermúdez from Murcia, in the 10,000 meter walk; June Kintana and Lois Maikel Martínez from Castellón, fifth in a row on record; of Aleix Porras, in the 400 fences; of Didac Salas, defending his gold on a pole; Carolina Robles, in 3,000 obstacles; Claudia Conte, in heptathlon; David Abrines, in decathlon; and Eusebio Cáceres, sixth Championship in length.
The expected appointments were also in the 800, 1,500 and 5,000 men. The 800 meter indoor world champion, Mariano García from Murcia, won his semifinal ahead of the year’s best record holder, Álvaro de Arriba from Salamanca. Meanwhile, in the second, slower, Adrián Ben and Saúl Ordóñez stood out, and the third was taken by Alberto Guerrero from Zamora with 1:48.94. Many hopefuls to be part of the national teams this summer.
The ‘milqui’ began the expected duel between Mohamed Katir and Adel Mechaal although from a distance, both dominating in their semifinals, while Ignacio Fontes won his. In the afternoon, Katir and Mechaal starred in a beautiful final of 5,000, where the Murcian celebrated his first national title with vindication.
“Many years waiting for nationality, they didn’t give me the medal two years ago because of that. Thanks to my patience I have turned the negative into a positive. I hope to continue improving. I will show my face in the World Cup and in the European Championship, now nobody It’s going to stop me,” said Katir, a Spaniard of Moroccan origin, in statements to Teledeporte, collected by Europa Press.
The record man of the 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000 hung his first gold going on to take control of the race in the last 2,000. Mechaal chased him without overtaking, with Abdessamad Oukhelfen third, both placed in the final of the ‘milqui’ this Sunday.
The speed also requested its place as expected, both male and female, for the great moment it lives. In the morning, a great Pol Retamal and Bruno Hortelano, national record holder, gave shine to the 200. The afternoon was for the girls, with a Maribel Pérez who did 11.07 in her semifinal, one hundredth of the Spanish record and with Jael Bestué, record of Spain Sub-23 (11.19).
However, at the end of the day, the Andalusian could not run the final of the 100 due to lactic acidosis suffered after the semifinal, in search of her third outdoor title. Bestué won the gold in the Enrique López Cuenca straight, like Sergio López, who defended his title and confirmed his favoritism since he arrived as the best Spaniard of the year.