The 54th year of the oldest walking races in Slovakia, "Záhorácka dvadsiatku" in Borský Mikuláš with the bronze status of the World Athletics Race Walking Tour series, was clearly dominated by the Ukrainians on the 10 km course, in the women Lyudmila OLYANOVSKÁ (42:53 min), in the men Ivan BANZERUK (40: 37 minutes)!

RESULTS / ERGEBNISSE

The 54th edition of the Záhorácka Dvadsiatka in Borské Mikuláš was not without Czech participation this time either.

110 walkers from 15 countries signed up to take part in the traditional race, which won WA bronze status, and there were real walking stars to be seen.

In previous years, the traditional twenty-kilometer distance was already replaced by a ten-kilometer distance.

Already in the youngest categories, Czech walking was represented thanks to the little Orlík and the coaching team around Anička Málková. Veronika Dorazilová tried the preparation in a kilometer race (8. - 8:05). Among the prettiest students, Vikotrínová Eva finished seventh (1km - 6:05). Viktorínová Anna (11th - 15:16) fought with younger students in the two kilometers and Dorazilo Kristýna (3th - 11:24) tried her hand at 36km in the international competition. Traditionally, Czech veterans also participated. The indomitable Kovanda Jiří (12th - 37:35), Jan Zajíc (13th - 38:44) and Stanislav Marek (15th - 43:49) did not hesitate to go on a longer journey, meet walking friends and log more veteran kilometers. Admirable, because the youngest of them is from 1953!!!

The victory for the Czech colors was won by Albert Kukla (SK Jeseniova) among the juniors. He was originally supposed to participate in the Czech junior championship this weekend, but the junior race was canceled by the technical delegate on Friday, as only 2 competitors registered and the title could not be awarded. Albert quickly traveled to Slovakia and won in 48:39.

In the women's competition, the first place goes to Ukraine thanks to the well-known Liudmila Oliyanovska, thanks to her participation in the Prague Clock, in a great time of 42:53 (among men she was tied for seventh place). She gave the second Greek Papadupoulou more than 2 minutes! The best Slovak, Hana Burzalová, returning from injury, showed 47:32 and, together with Ema Hačundová (after the flu - 48:45), confirmed the huge performance progress of the Slovaks, which began after the Australian training stay in January.

The Ukrainian, Banzeruk Ivan, dominated the men's competition as well, in a time of 40:37. The first three were extremely balanced. The silver, as in Tokyo :), was won by the German star Jonathan Hilbert, who was only 3 seconds back. Another 4 seconds back was a truly incredible veteran. The Portuguese Joao Vieira was born in 1976 and still manages to clock a time of 40:44!!! Slovakian Dominik Černý took fourth place in the new OR - 41:07.

Our walkers did not do well this time. In addition to Albert Kukla, other Karel Ketner wards started. Adam Zajíček soon withdrew from the race due to health problems. Jaromír Morávek started the race sharply, the opening 5 km was well under 21 minutes, but the race ended for him at the eighth kilometer due to a violation of the pedestrian rules. Not every day is enlightened, the important thing is not to be afraid. The technique at a higher racing pace needs to be mastered, and the important thing is that our men are not afraid of it. In the future, their acceleration this year will certainly be a great motivation for Víťa Hlaváč, and mutual competition can only help our men.

The 20 from Záhorák is behind us and the organizers are already thinking about returning the XNUMXkm distance to the competition with the bronze status.