Walker Saskia Feige celebrated the greatest success of her career at the European Athletics Championships in Munich. The Leipziger won bronze over 20 km. It is the second European Championship medal for the German walkers.
Feige was third in the rain in Munich behind the Greek Antigoni Ntrismpioti, who had already triumphed over 35 km. Katarzyna Zdzieblo from Poland took silver. The 25-year-old ran a best time of 1:29:25 hours.
The athlete from SC DHfK Leipzig showed a strong performance and kept up with the front for a long time, but had to give up after Ntrismpioti’s attack around three kilometers from the finish. Ntrismpioti, who had become European champion over 35 km four days earlier, completed her double in 1:29:03 hours.
Feige: “I heard my name every meter”
Feige told the sports show: It feels really crazy. I’m so happy. Thank you to everyone who supported me so much along the way. My family was there, friends were there. Many thanks also to my coaching team, they were also on the track and were always shouting. I heard my name every meter, it was an amazing atmosphere. The rain? The weather was good, it was good chilling from above. You don’t have to shower.”
Like at the World Championships in Eugene (USA), Zdzieblo, who came second at the World Championships, took silver again after 1:29:20 hours. Feige was 15th at the World Cup, weakened by Corona. This made the German champion the sixth best European.
Leo Köpp in the top ten
The surprisingly nominated Leo Köpp had previously come in ninth place at the European Championships in downtown Munich. The Berliner was only 18 seconds behind the big favorite, Olympic champion Massimo Stano (Italy), who only finished eighth. After his first big competition, the law student told the “Sportschau”: “I’m extremely satisfied. I only had reduced training in the post-Olympic exam year, so you can only be happy. The mood here in the city center was phenomenal. ” He was 2:25 minutes behind the new and old European champions.
The Spaniard Alvaro Martin defended the European title. Silver went to the Swede Perseus Karlstrom, who crossed the finish line wearing a Viking helmet. Martin’s compatriot Diego Garcia Carrera took bronze. Karl Junghanss came in 20th. Nils Brembach had to end the race prematurely with tears in his eyes after three red cards and the subsequent disqualification.
The German trio had already lost contact with the leaders halfway through the race. Like Junghannß, Brembach initially received a 2-minute time penalty, shortly afterwards he was taken out of the race. “Something like this has never happened to me. I’m so sorry,” said the sports soldier. Christopher Linke (Potsdam) won silver over the 35 km on Tuesday.