Aku Partanen thought he had walked his own record. He heard the bad news in front of the media.
Brother-Matti “Aku” Partanen experienced quite a range of emotions during the 35 km walk of the World Championships in Budapest.
At the finish line, Partanen believed he was 11th and set his own record with a time of 2:28.58. He already had time to give comments to the media with a smile on his face.
Then came some discouraging information from the jury. Partane was given a third warning and a time penalty, which dropped him to 18th place. The “new” time was 2:32.28.
– Very sad. Around the end… Maybe the technology got worse at the end. Maybe the legs couldn’t make it to the end. It makes me feel a little low, Partanen, who was searching for words, lamented.
Aku Partanen received a time penalty after the race. PASI LEISMA
At the beginning of the race, Partanen started with the leading group. Difficulties started coming after an hour.
– At the hour mark, my legs were completely empty. I got the feeling that the hopeless has to try the impossible.
The pace of the Finnish walker started to freeze, and he fell from the top tube. However, Partanen made it to the finish line with honors.
Coach Valentin Kononen characterized on Yle’s TV broadcast that Partanen is a “bad guy” based on his performance.
– I guess all walkers are a bit lame. There is a fighter nature. I don’t know if it came from birth, or if the sport taught me toughness. I don’t want to give up, Partanen said with a laugh.
– In my thoughts, I returned to the training and the amount of work I have done in the last year. Didn’t feel like giving up at the h-moment. I wanted a reward for the work, he continued.
Prize pool available
The heated competition took a toll on Partan. PASI LEISMA
During the race, Partanen received a warning for ground contact and then for the angle of the knee. Relaxation disappeared from the technique during the race.
– The job went so hard to grind. I think that’s where the wheels came from.
– Muscular endurance is needed to be able to keep the technique in order even in a difficult place. I haven’t had a walk of more than 30km since April when I focused on 20km.
Partanen undertook two trips at the World Championships, as he set a new Finnish record of 1:18.22 in his main race last week Saturday at 20 kilometers. The performance resulted in 6,400 euros in prize money.
The destination of the money is not yet clear.
– We’ll see. I guess I’ll go eat. A tour for everyone!
Partanen regretted not being able to match the speed of the top. He was still happy with his tactics.
– There was nothing to lose when there was already one good race below. I think it was worth trying with the tip.
Double gold
Alvaro Martin won his second world championship in Budapest. PASI LEISMA
Spain won the world championship Alvaro Martin, who also celebrated 20 km gold last week. On the longer distance, a new Spanish record of 2:24.30 was created.
Ecuador won the World Cup silver Brian Daniel Pintado. The World Cup bronze was taken by the Japanese Masatori Kawano. Leading the race for a long time Aurelien Quinion was canceled due to technical problems.
Finland Aleksi Ojala was 25th in the race. Ojala, who was weak, was taken away from the finish line in a wheelchair.