Title fights in Budapest
Geher Linke fifth at the start of the World Cup with a German record
The 20-kilometer walker competition was postponed by two hours due to weather conditions. photo
© Christian Kunz/dpa
Walker Christopher Linke celebrated a German record at the first decision of the World Championships in Athletics.
The 34-year-old from Potsdam remained fifth after 20 kilometers in 1:18:12 hours and 30 seconds under his previous best time. The title went to the two-time European champion Álvaro Martín from Spain in front of the Swede Perseus Karlstrom and the Brazilian Caio Bonfim.
Linke had previously shared the German record of 1:18:42 hours with Andreas Erm. This one had been so fast in 2000, Linke in 2019.
In the competition over 20 kilometers, which started two hours late due to a storm, team captain Linke had aimed for a top 8 finish and convincingly fulfilled his own expectations. The Potsdamer is even stronger over 35 kilometers as the European Championship second. First up this Sunday is Saskia Feige from Leipzig over 20 kilometers. Over this distance she had won bronze at the European Championships in Munich.