At the 30th kilometer I started and I had fun, so Sofia Fiorini took the gold and the world record

Sofia Fiorini claimed gold and set a world record in the marathon walk at the European Championships in Birmingham, finishing in 3 hours, 15 minutes, and 11 seconds. The Italian athlete described her victory with characteristic candor, saying, “At the thirty-kilometer mark I started and had fun.” Her performance marked a historic moment, surpassing the target time set by World Athletics and establishing herself as the new world champion in the discipline. The race unfolded over a challenging course through the city center, with competitors navigating a one-kilometer loop. From the thirty-kilometer point onward, Fiorini dominated, leaving behind Polish competitor Katarzyna Zdzieblo, who finished second in 3 hours, 19 minutes, and 50 seconds, and Spanish runner Raquel Gonzalez, who took bronze in 3 hours, 20 minutes, and 49 seconds. During the final stretch, Fiorini even managed to overtake several rivals, showcasing both strength and tactical precision. The Italian’s time of 3h15’11” not only secured her the gold medal but also became the official world record for the marathon walk, setting a new benchmark for future athletes. Fiorini’s strategy was built on patience and timing. She admitted she struggled initially to find her rhythm, but she waited for the right moment to push forward. “It was a very enjoyable race, especially the end,” she told Rai after the competition. “At first, I was a bit struggling because I wanted to go a little faster. But the marathon requires patience, and I had it. When I got the signal to accelerate, I started at the thirty-kilometer mark and really enjoyed each kilometer.” Her approach reflected a shift in mindset that she credits as crucial to her success. While walking has been a lifelong passion, Fiorini noted that recent changes in how she approached training and racing made a difference. “I’ve changed my attitude a bit in the last period because I enjoy every training session. I saw that bringing this spirit into races makes a real difference, and I want to continue doing so,” she explained. This newfound enthusiasm helped her maintain composure during the long, grueling race, allowing her to perform at her best without succumbing to pressure. Fiorini’s achievement did not happen in isolation. She acknowledged the support of Italy’s national team, particularly highlighting the role of past champions who inspired her and the current generation of young athletes. “Our great champions have been a huge motivation. We have a beautiful group, diverse yet united, and we encourage each other, whether we’re older or younger. Even in youth competitions, there have been fantastic results. So the strength of our movement is precisely this unity,” she said. Italy’s success at the championships extended beyond Fiorini’s triumph. Other notable performances included gold for Massimo Stano, silver for Francesco Fortunato and Alexandrina Mihaie, and bronze for Andrea Cosi. These results underscored the country’s growing dominance in track and field, with the marathon walk emerging as a key area of strength. Fiorini’s victory carries emotional weight, symbolizing months of hard work and sacrifice. “Having a gold medal around my neck gives me a sense of lightness after this long, intense season,” she said. “I believe the real challenge is getting to the race. Once the starting gun goes off, the fun begins. It’s a relief to be here, and all the sacrifices of this season have paid off.” As the dust settles on another successful day for Italian athletics, Fiorini’s name will be etched into history, not just for her world record, but for the way she embraced the journey, turning patience into power and perseverance into triumph.