One of the qualities of a racewalker should be sure to never give up; to Gregorio Angelini, young U23 of the athletics club “Alteratletica Locorotondo”, this quality is not lacking. Last Sunday he took part in the 50Km Greek championship, in an infamous day from the meteorological point of view. Last year, again in January, Gregorio had succeeded in the “pirate” undertaking to win the 50km of the Portuguese championships by retouching his PB to 4h08’22”, this year the withdrawal in Hellenic land has arrived. But there has been no defeat, seen also the times:
What really happened? He himself explains it to us by answering the questions we asked him as soon as he returned to Italy:
Can you tell us the reason for your withdrawal? Did you have any problems or was it just a test? Unfortunately in Greece the weather conditions were very unfavorable for the race, in fact there was a weather alert for strong wind and rain.
A serious matter then. Athanasios S. Raptus, president of SEGAS [ed Grece Federation] organizing committee, he also told us that he had thought to postpone the race due to the weather alert, but in the end he did not because it was me Ivana Renits (CRO) from abroad; e did not want to frustrate our long trip.
And you wanted to compete anyway? Usually I always respect the commitments made, and then I wanted to thank them for the welcome I received; so agree with my coach [ed. Gregorio’s father] we wanted to honor the race by trying it until the end.
How your race took place? My goal was to go under 4 hours, and until I saw that there was a chance I continued. But after the 35th km the conditions have become too unfavorable.
The weather reports spoke of wind, cold and rain, was it really difficult to walk? The circuit was 2km, going against the wind and favorable return, but the difference on the km was really great because there were gusts around 50km/h. So at the 40th km I decided to stop because it did not make sense to complete another 50km over 4 hours.
Il momento del ritiro di Gregorio Angelini. Si notano alle sue spalle le onde per il vento forte
In projection what time would you have done on 50Km? Hard to say given the conditions, but potentially the PB was within my reach.
And now? Next goals? It is not a tragedy, in the end I did a good training. I will always be able to participate in the 35km of Grosseto but I have not decided yet. My main goal remains to go under 4 hours on 50Km. There are few words about mine and about same age racewalkers, I hope with good results can also reverse this trend.
Have you already done a little thought about the Taicang Team World Racewalking Championship? An athlete always hopes for us, but we need to prove our worth with the results. If I succeed the Federation will decide a possible convocation, otherwise I will continue to train for a 50Km at the end of the year.
