Pedro Pablo Pichardo and Auriol Dongmo took over this Saturday’s happiness and emotion on the podium at the European Athletics Indoor Championships, one day after becoming two-time champions in triple jump and shot put respectively.
The two reconfirmed the titles won in Torun2021 on Friday, with Pichardo’s 17.60 meters new national record, the best world record of the year, and Dongmo’s 19.76, the highest throw by a European woman in 2023.
“Now I can say that the medal is ours. It goes home to our country. I am very happy to climb to the top step of the podium, it is a thrill and I am very grateful and satisfied with the work that I’ve done’ I’m very happy with my team, with my coach,” said Pichardo.
The 29-year-old Benfica athlete added his second consecutive European indoor title to the Olympic, World and European outdoor gold medals, admitting that this title is sweeter for now as it is the last.
“The latter tastes better, but I hope the latter is only when I finish my career, and I don’t have that in mind yet. At that point, the first and the last will be the most striking, and I think they will be a have different taste” , acknowledged.
Reflecting on the outdoor season, Pichardo points to the World Championships in Budapest, in August, when he will defend the title won in Oregon2022, and also to the Diamond League as “the two main objectives”, expressing his gratitude.
“I really appreciate the affection of all people, all over Portugal. I am very grateful to the country and the club, because it is thanks to Benfica that I am in Portugal,” he stressed.
Medal dedicated to the nearest
Five minutes after Pichardo climbed to the top of the podium, flanked by Greece’s Nikolaos Andrikopoulos and Germany’s Max Hess, second and third respectively, it was Auriol Dongmo’s turn to once again echo the national anthem at the Ataköy Arena.
“I felt very proud. I am very proud of myself, my work and my coach [Paulo Reis]it is the fruit of a lot of sacrifice and hard work, I am very happy”, the pitcher assumed, already with the gold medal on her chest.
At the age of 32, the Sporting athlete added her second European title to the indoor track world championship, in a competition in which Germany’s Sara Gambeta came second and Sweden’s Fanny Roos third.
“This title means a lot to me. Because it was a lot of work, a lot of sacrifices, and winning twice in a row is not easy, but this was a goal and I have to keep working because there is a lot more to win.” ‘ he launched.
Dongmo dedicated this medal to those closest to him: “I dedicate it to my husband and my son, first of all, but I also have a family, besides my biological family, Ana Lopes’ family, who supports me a lot. and also to my coach. I have no words for it. It is to them that I owe everything that I am achieving now”.
Pichardo and Dongmo won gold medals in the triple jump and shot put on Friday at the 37th edition of the European Athletics Indoor Championships, which take place in Istanbul, Turkey, until Sunday, in two competitions in which two Portuguese finished in fourth place, the case of Tiago Pereira and Jessica Inchude, respectively.
Source: DN
