The Spanish Championship has left a very positive balance for Girona’s athletics. While Adel Mechaal did not finish completely satisfied, especially yesterday when he was out of the podium in the final of the 1,500 meters, the palamosí did not leave empty-handed because on Saturday he had won the silver in the 5,000 m. Champion of Spain in 2015 and 2017, Mechaal was overtaken in the final by his great rival, Mohamed Katir, who overtook him in the final straight after attacking in the last 600 meters. Mechaal, achieved a time of 13: 43.61, in a distance in which he is also the national record holder with 12.50.79.
Yesterday was not the day either. Mechaal started as one of the big favorites of the 1,500, but eventually had to settle for fourth place with a time of 3: 36.60. Against all odds, Mario García Romo was proclaimed champion of Spain (3: 35.52) ahead of Fortes, Katir and Mechaal.
On the other hand, the athlete from L’Escala, Aitana Radsma (Playas de Castellón), won the silver medal in the Spanish Championship of 100 meters hurdles that was held at the Enrique López Cuenca de Nerja stadium . Xènia Benach won the title after being proclaimed absolute champion of Spain in the 60-meter hurdles last year. Although Benach started as a favorite and so it was with a time of 12.94, Radsma chased her to finish second with 13.29. Paula Blanquer closed the podium with the bronze (13.32). A few tenths of a second came the medalist’s sister, Africa Radsma, who clocked a time of 13.66 and was sixth in the final classification.
The third joy of Girona in the state athletics was for Laura Hernández. Olotina won the bronze medal in the 400 meters with only one hundredth more than the silver of Berta Segura, who broke the Spanish U20 record with 52.66. The distance champion was Eva Santidrián with a great time of 52.39, the best state record of the season and the tenth of all time.
Esther Guerrero from Banyoles did not take part in the state race due to physical discomfort.
