Dear readers of Marcia del Mondo!
I’m glad, that I can publish my consideration about World championship in Beijing. Of course, it was the best championship for me, I will always remeber it!
First of all I have to exalt the LOC- choosing the loop, organization of competition, service during the race, atmosphere- everything was great. Also shuttle bus service, accommodation, food, training venues near our hotel, possibility of swimming pool- we have everything what we needed.
I have only small comments (from the perspective of the viewer): I missed the commentator and video screen on the loop. If came someone little bit later, he had no ideas, who is first or second, what time is, how fast walkers go. And second comments- two levels of barriers. The spectators hadn’t so close contact with competitors and view was limited.
I think, that also judges did a good job. Most of disqualifcations was justified- of course never will be everyone satisfied. I’m always sad, when I see someone of my friends (every walker is my friend :-) ) is DQ, but we choose this nice event and it belongs to race walking.
The most discussed theme was Russian absence in Beijing. I have to exalt the leaders of Russian athletic federation, that they didn’t nominate walkers from caoch Chegin group. I know, that it’s not easy to give up maybe 3-4 medals, but it was clever decision. Russian athletic need to cleanse from suspicion. I hope, that in the future will Russian walkers return in the high level performances without doping.
I enjoyed the 20km men race like a spectator and it was very nice experience for me. Very good pace from beginning. I expected, that the group will be little bit bigger and more compact. But I saw many pace changing, and those who stay in evenly pace, for example Glavan, conserved required energy for final laps. I think that main acceleration (Wang) came too early and too hard. Miguel did it very clever to stand in own pace and to wait for his opportunity. And than he showed why is he one of the best 20k walker. The finish was massive. Like for everyone, also for me was the biggest surprise bronze medal for Benjamin Thorne. But this young guy showed in Taicang 2014, that we have to count with him and in Beijing he did great job- very good technique, clever tactic and wonderful performance. Other positions showed us steadiness of walkers- very small differences between 8th and 16th position.
Woman race was like opposite of mens race. From beginning the Chinese girls show others, that they want two rarest medals. It seemed that they walked only what they must to be in safe first position. The fight behind them was very interesting. Maybe it was pity, that both Italian was DQ, but I think, that positions on medals would stay same. Olianovska seemed very strong also her technique was one of the best from leading group. Very good performances from others European girls: Ana, Antonella, Brigita, Not so many women under 1:30, but the Friday was the hottest day and the conditions was very difficult.
I was part of 50km race. I had plan to go my own race in first 30-35km, but I had no idea, that after 3km I stay alone in leading position. But I tried to stay calm and continue in my pace. It wasn’t really fast, and my organism responded very well. After 30k (and after toilet stop) I started to push little bit (2k loops under 8:40) and I realized, that I feel very good. I had still very low heart rate, still enough energy and no pain in muscles. After 44k I started to realize, that I can win and I enjoyed last 5k. I saw very nice battle for second place. It was also motivation for me to stay in high pace. I think, that Jarred used his experiences and after not very good season he did next great results. I still had enough reserves to speed up if it would be necessary in last 5k. Last kilometer was very emotive for me and specially entrance to stadium was like a dream for me.
In my opinion the weather was not so bad. I expected higher humidity. We had prepared very good refreshment. I drank almost 5liters of ionic drinks, and I cooled down my body with ice water, ice under the cap and with showers- every lap from beginning until that last one.
Congratulations to NR’s, many PB’s, and great performances- see you soon on next race walkings competitions and than in RIO 2016!
Matej Toth