The Japanese Yamanishi and the Italian Palmisano triumph in the Madrid walking GP

The Japanese athlete Toshikazu Yamanishidouble world champion of 20 km walk, and the Italian Antonella Palmisano, Olympic champion in Tokyowon the Madrid Walking Grand Prix, which was held this Sunday on the capital’s Gran Vía.

The test, which this year delayed its date due to the tight schedule with the European Championships in June and the subsequent Olympic Games, once again brought together some of the best walkers in the world in the center of the city.

With an emotional tribute to Álvaro Martín, double Olympic medalist who recently announced his retirement from the elite, started a test in which the Japanese Yamanishi, who was not in the Paris Games after being disqualified in the classification tests, was always in the lead.

The tough circuit, with several slopes in the central one kilometer route, It quickly took its toll on some of the marchers, such as the Swede Perseus Karlströmwho retired shortly after the first kilometer. Paul McGrath could not stay in the running either.

Thus, the Italian Francesco Fortunato and Diego García Carrera, ‘alma mater’ and also organizer of the race, remained in Yamanishi’s shadow. And there were no changes in the lead until the finish line. The Japanese Yamanishi won with 40:00, ahead of Fortunato, with 40:18. “I’m happy because I felt really good and I was able to make a very good record, in a somewhat special year. I was not able to compete in the Paris Olympic Games, but I think that, at the same time, has helped me win in Madrid, which is a special place, as is Gran Vía,” Yamanishi said.

Diego García Carrera completed the podium, with 40:44. “It is a dream to compete on the Gran Vía,” said the Spaniard after the race. “Enjoying this and seeing the little ones marching is very gratifying.” Daniel Champosa was sixth and Marc Tur, seventh.

Palmisano monologue

In the women’s category, the Italian Palmisano offered a marching monologue on the Gran Vía. She dominated the test from the beginning and won with a time of 44:02. Behind her, in second place, the Ukrainian Mariia Sackaruk crossed the finish line, with 45:03. Noelia Vargas, from Costa Rica, completed the podium.

The first Spanish was Raquel González, fifth, with 47:08, while Antía Chamosa was sixth, with 47:22.