Seville's Blanca Hervás triumphed by a hundredth over Paula Sevilla in the final of the 400 meters at the Spanish Athletics Championship held in Málaga. Both athletes, who hold the second and third best historical Spanish records, provided an exciting duel.
Seville's Blanca Hervás took victory in the 400 meters final of the Spanish Athletics Championship, held in Málaga, crossing the finish line with a time of 52.31, just a hundredth ahead of her fellow townswoman Paula Sevilla (52.32). The duel, considered the highlight of the second day of the championship, lived up to expectations as it was resolved in a nail-biting finish.
Both athletes arrived at the Málaga event with the best credentials. Hervás, a native of Seville, had recorded 50.64 at the Vallehermoso stadium, while Sevilla had stopped the clock at 50.68, the second and third best marks in the history of Spanish athletics, only surpassed by Sandra Myers' 49.67 in 1991. However, the wind conditions in Málaga hampered the records, although not the excitement of the race.
The equality between both runners has been a constant throughout the season, and the Spanish Championship has once again shown that the competition between them can only lead to mutual improvement. Hervás, who had already demonstrated her potential on the Madrid track, knew how to assert herself in the final meters to take the national title.
In the men's 400 meters event, fellow Sevillian Ángel González won with a time of 45.91, breaking the 46-second barrier and demonstrating his excellent form. González, who has been progressing throughout the season, is shaping up to be one of Spain's hopes for the upcoming European Championships in Birmingham, which will take place from August 10 to 16.
The Spanish Championship in Málaga serves as a definitive test for the European event, and the athletes from Seville have responded exceptionally well. The rivalry between Hervás and Sevilla, both with medal chances in Birmingham, promises to be one of the highlights of the international competition.
In addition to the 400 meters, the day featured other notable results. María Vicente, who aimed to break her national heptathlon record (6,304 points), finished with 6,174 after losing steam in the last three events. Nevertheless, the 2017 youth world champion, who has suffered multiple injuries, expressed her satisfaction at returning to compete at the highest level.
In race walking, Olympic, world, and European champion María Pérez broke the national record for 10,000 meters with a time of 42:12.93, surpassing the previous record held by Raquel González for a decade by one second.
The wind was a determining factor throughout the afternoon, sometimes favouring and sometimes hindering performances. In the 3,000 meters steeplechase, Marta Serrano won with 9:40.27, while Eduardo Menacho did the same in the 5,000 meters with 13:59.37, in tactical and slow races.
In the 400 meters hurdles, national record holder Jesús Delgado (48.11) took gold with 49.74, and in the women's event, Sara Gallego (54.34) won with 55.79. Meanwhile, young Andrea Sales, aged 19, triumphed in the hammer throw with 66.10, surpassing national record holder Laura Redondo (65.88).
The Spanish Athletics Championship continues this Sunday with the final events, where the athletes from Seville will seek to add more medals and secure their presence at the European Championships in Birmingham.
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