The medalist in shot put in Athens 2004 returned to compete to help his club from León
Martínez is still the Spanish weight record holder with 21.47 and had been retired since 2011
The shot putter Manuel Martínez, Olympic medalist in Athens 2004, has returned to compete more than a decade later, now in the discus throw, to try to help his club (Sprint León) in the attempt to ascend categories and reach the men’s Honor Division in the future.
The former captain of the Spanish athletics team and still a national record holder in weight (21.47 meters achieved in Salamanca two decades ago) embarked on this company despite having left athletics in 2011 after a long career plagued with successes, including them a world indoor title and a European.
“It’s just about trying to help the club to cover this lack,” the former athlete told Efe on Mondaywho within this new stage debuted in the club league in the Second Division, played in Gijón, with a mark of 33 meters that has improved this weekend at the León Grand Prixwhere he was accompanied by many of the athletes he currently directs.
In fact, under her discipline at the High Performance Center (CAR) in León is the national discus record holder, Sabina Asenjo, who also recently returned to competition after retiring in 2017 due to double motherhood or what is emerging as his successor, June Kintana.
Martínez opted for the discus throw, which he practiced in his beginnings although he abandoned it in the junior stage, due to the better adaptation as it does not require the same strength as in weightsince they are more than seven kilos compared to two, so skill and technique can be exploited more than strength and being able to throw between 40 and 45 meters, which would already be very good”, he explained.
In any case, the mythical “Supermán” Martínez, as he was known for years in the world of national athletics, has ruled out a long period of return to competition and only hopes that one of the young talents can take over, although the quarry of pitchers is more prolific than the male category.