The stunning Spanish records of Attaui (800m) and Marta Garcia (2000m)

The Herculis meeting in Monaco once again made history in Spanish athletics after two simply stunning Spanish records were set: Mohamed Attaoui in the 800m (1:42.04) and Marta Garcia in the 2000m (5:32.86).

Ataui, the Spanish champion over the distance less than two weeks ago in La Nucia, broke the previous record of 1:43.65 set by Saul Ordonez, which he achieved in 2018, becoming the third man to break it on the same course since Kevin Lopez achieved 1:43.74 in 2012).

The Cantabrian, who was racing at a very high level against leading world rivals and with a record much higher than the one he had before taking part (1:44.57), remained at the back of the group just before the bell, where, with his already powerful stride, famous throughout the world, he began to overtake his rivals, just when the race was cut in two, keeping to a good leading group, walking at a great pace and looking for big marks; the Spaniard was not content to stay in the group, but wanted more, and with an ambition that leaves his mouth open, and in the last turn he began to advance the positions and with even more energy and getting inside, he continued to progress in the straight final. to take second place behind Algeria’s Djamel Setjati, who won in 1:41.46 to become the world leader, with Attaoui hot on his heels and already holding the Spanish record of 1:42.04, which puts him in the world’s top 10 of all time; no more and no less than 9th!!

And another fact from the history of the middle distance: Attawi joins the illustrious names in Spanish athletics who have simultaneously set the Spanish records in the 800m (1:42.04) and 1000m (2:15.05) Attawi, who joins Juan Bautista Adarraga (1948), Manuel Macias (1954), Tomás Barris (1955, 1957 and 1958), Antonio Fernández Ortiz (1972) and Antonio Páez (1980).

AMAZING, WONDERFUL, CRUEL.

With the echoes of the previous feat still fresh, it was the turn of three Spaniards who, one way or another, also made history in Spanish records: Marta García from Palencia, aiming for her fifth Spanish record of the season, and with her the two women who had done the hare’s work today and done it well.

First Lorena Martin, who reached the 800m mark, covering the 400m in 1:04:20 and the 800m in 2:08.28, and then Esther Guerrero, who took over the 1000m in 2:39.88 (lap 1:04.65) and continued until about 1400m, they carried on their wings especially the Australian Jessica Hall, who finally set a magnificent world record with a result of 5:19.70 (last thousand 1:03.05).

Meanwhile, Marta, who spent most of the race in the far back positions, practically closing the race, did not lose her composure and always remained attentive to the set pace and even in the final part she progressed so much that she brought her leading positions to the last stretch, finishing eighth, stopping the clock at 5:32.86, which is almost 9 seconds! the previous record, which was held by the aforementioned Esther Guerrero from 2020 (5:41.30). Another simply impressive brand and world record for an athlete who has already set five Spanish records this year, which is undoubtedly the best season of her life.

BRAVO MARTA.

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