Spaniard Alvaro Martin, already a gold medalist in the 20km walk five days ago, became world champion in the 35km walk on Thursday morning in Budapest.
Martin (29) crossed the finish line at Heroes’ Square in Budapest after a Spanish record 2:24:30, four seconds ahead of Ecuadorian Brian Daniel Pintado (2:24.34). Japan’s Masatora Kawano completes the podium (2:25.12) in this non-Olympic event.
Alone in the lead for more than fifteen kilometers, the Frenchman Aurélien Quinion counted up to more than thirty seconds ahead of a peloton of pursuers before paying cash the accumulated penalties. The third, received before the 30th kilometer, earned him three and a half minutes of forced stoppage in the penalty area. The fourth, received between kilometers 32 and 33, cost him a disqualification. The other French driver, Kévin Campion, finished fifteenth in 2h 30 min 18 sec.
“I had a good laugh making myself forget and going to the side (to escape, editor’s note). Suddenly, neither the camera nor anyone saw. The camera, it took four terminals to understand that it was me who was in front, ”says Quinion, 14th in the 35 km walk for his first Worlds a year ago and disqualified, already, at the European Championships in stride. .
“I didn’t think more than that, I went for it, I thought it would follow. But no euphoria, I know it’s never played, 35 km is long, “he continues, while explaining having to” gain confidence “.
“We have to work more, that we put things in place with the federation, we started. I need to pay more attention to that. Some judges tell me it’s getting better and better, even I can feel it. The first (card) does not happen that quickly (at the 18th km), it’s better than other years anyway, retains Quinion. The more we present ourselves (in the race), the more I will be able to have marbles to improve myself.
“It helps me,” he continues. I am someone who really comes out of his concentration, and that allows me to say to myself: There is something wrong, refocus. And that keeps me busy! It’s long ! Two and a half hours, that’s a Star Wars! You have to pass the time!”
In the women’s race, Maria Perez (27) won in 2h 38 min 40 sec, a championship record, ahead of the Peruvian Kimberly Garcia Leon (2h40:52) and the Greek Antigoni Ntrismpioti (2h43:22). Like her compatriot, after a victory over 20km, the Spaniard won to become world champion in the 35km walk Thursday morning in Budapest.
