For a long time, experienced walker Christopher Linke has been in the running for a medal at the World Championships in Budapest. In the final phase he falls back, but creates the next record.
Walker Christopher Linke was also unable to secure the first German medal at the World Championships in Athletics in Budapest.
The 34-year-old from Potsdam finished fifth over 35 kilometers after being fifth over 20 kilometers. This time, too, Linke set a German record of 2:25:35 hours and seemed satisfied with his performance overall.
“It was quite a fight today. The last six or seven kilometers I struggled more than I have in a long time, if not more than ever,” said Linke afterwards in view of the difficult external conditions with great heat in the morning and extremely high humidity . “I took a lot of risks. I just lost a bit of strength at the back,” said Linke.
Junghannß strong fifth
The title went to 20K world champion Álvaro Martín of Spain (2:24:30) ahead of Brian Daniel Pintado of Ecuador, who finished just four seconds later, and last year’s World Championship runner-up Masatora Kawano of Japan. Karl Junghannß came in ninth, Carl Dohmann was far behind early on and gave up the race.
In the women’s race, which was held at the same time, Bianca Maria Dittrich (3:03:05) fell far behind early on and came in 29th. The title was won by Maria Pérez (2:38:40) like she had already done over 20 kilometers, so the Spanish won Walking team all four world championship titles. Kimberly García León of Peru finished second ahead of Antigoni Ntrismpioti of Greece.
The German team co-captain Linke had hoped for his second international medal after silver at the European Championships over 35 kilometers a year ago in Munich. The last time Andreas Erm won a German World Cup medal in walking was 20 years ago over the no longer held 50 kilometers. Left coach Ronald Weigel was even the first world champion over this distance in 1983.
Linke was in the leading group from the start, Junghannß joined the leaders. The Frenchman Aurélien Quinion was half a minute ahead of his pursuers, but was caught again. With six kilometers to go, Martín picked up the pace, Linke couldn’t keep up and was 65 seconds behind at the finish. “It was a merciless elimination race,” he commented on the decisive phase.
Source: Stern
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