Thessaloniki, the capital of northern Greece, has hosted the U20 Championship of Greece after 12 years
The competitions took place in the recently renovated “Kaftatzoglio” stadium over the past weekend of 3-4 July.
This championship was the last chance for the athletes to achieve the standards for the U20 European Championships in Talinn (EST) and for the World Championships in Kenya at the end of August.
The two races over the 10,000m track walk took place on Saturday morning at 08.00 and were the first events of the championship.
The weather is warm despite the cool morning wind, after all night with heavy rain, with 32°C.
The competitions were held at the same time given the number of participants.
10,000m track walk men
Andreas Elefterios Bachos (GRE) won his first gold medal in the championship in 45:33.72 also setting the new personal best. The previous 45:34.30 was dated 2.8.2020 and was established in Ioannina (GRE).
Second place to Alexandros Mortzakis (GRE) in 45:34.11 obtained after a difficult winter preparation, without any races in the season due to physical problems, and recently returned to compete. Both athletes walked shoulder to shoulder throughout the entire race, both in search of the standard for Tallin.
Third place went to Papastergiou Andreas (GRE) in 47:58.11 also at the personal best. The previous of 49:23.59 was dated 26.7.2020 and was established in Larissa (GRE).
10,000m track walk women
Victory to Zafiria Papadimitriou (GRE) in 52:26.86 walking practically alone throughout the race.
She was also a bit unlucky as she missed the standard for the U20s in Tallin only 26:86/100.
Second place to Maria Filippa Dati (GRE) in 53:23.11
Third place to Chrisanthi Arvanitakou (GRE) in 53: 51.07
(News and photos by Zioe Gkini - GRE)