Aleksi Ojala fought to the finish line in the hot 35 km race of the European Championships in Munich.
Aleksi Ojala would like the 50 kilometer race back on the program. PASI LEISMA
Aleksi Ojalan walking the 35 kilometers of the European Championships in Munich was a battle victory.
Ojala made it to the finish line and was twelfth, although there were enough problems on the way. The walker who holds the Finnish record threw up at about 20 kilometers and fell from the group holding the bronze.
– My back thigh cramped quite badly at the end. I had to slow down so that nothing would hurt.
– Fluids also came up during the race. No can do.
A muscle injury and fluid accumulation were found in Ojala’s right hind thigh after the World Championships. He had to miss the Kaleva competitions.
In Munich, Ojala crossed the finish line. At the interview point, he already seemed quite fit considering that he had walked 35 kilometers in the heat of the moment.
– The best race performance of my career, although it doesn’t look like I’m smiling now. As long as we’re here, I’m satisfied.
Ojala previously competed in 50 kilometers. The trip was removed from international competitions after the Tokyo Olympics.
After two 35-kilometer value race starts, Ojala still needs 50 kilometers. He would have liked to race the distance also in the heat of Munich.
– A man in his fifties is always a man in his fifties – no matter what happened.
Not to the gold rush
Ojala walked a Finnish record in Eugene. PASI LEISMA
Ojala also had a medal seam in the race. The Finn was the fourth best European in the 35 km walk at the World Championships in July.
Italian world champion Massimo Stano was not involved in the Munich 35km, as he focuses on chasing the 20km title.
The chances for gold and silver dwindled quickly, when Spain’s Miguel Angel Lopez and Sweden Perseus Karlstrom broke away from the main crowd. Ojala did not want to go at the same pace.
– It was clear when Perseus struck. Wasn’t my speed.
Ojala led the group that was locked in bronze for a long time. The medal seam escaped into vomiting.
Ice packs for hands
Ojala was satisfied with his race. PASI LEISMA
The weather during the race was amazing. When we set off at 8:30 local time, the morning was still slightly cool.
At the finish line, the meter showed +26. Part of the route was shaded by buildings, but it was really hot in the sun.
– The conditions were tough. At the cooling point I took water, at the watering point it was dry on top, Ojala said about the two-kilometer track.
Several walkers took cool towels around their necks from the service station. Icy hats and pouring water on the head were also used.
Ojala wore rubber gloves with ice on them.
– Aleksi poured a cold on his head pretty much every round. Ice packs are placed on the hands. Those are the two best ways. Gloves, that they go to help really quickly, coach Veli-Matti Ranta said.
– They help. It has been proven many times that they work, Ojala praised.
Ice bags were used for the first time in the Tokyo Olympic Games, which were contested in Sapporo.
Lopez won the European Championship. Karlström had to interrupt.
Germany took silver Christopher Linke and bronze for Italy Matteo Guipponi.