Italy’s Massimo Stano delivered a remarkable performance in the 35km Race Walk at the European Race Walking Team Championships in Podebrady on Sunday to set a new world record.
The accomplished race walker broke the world record in the event, finishing in an impressive 2 hours, 20 minutes, and 43 seconds to dominate the event at World Athletics Race Walking Tour Gold meeting.
Germany’s Christopher Linke set a national record of 2:23:21 to finish in second place, while 2022 European champion Miguel Angel Lopez of Spain also set a national record with 2:23:48 for third place.
Massimo Stano Entered Podebrady In Good Form
Entering this weekend’s race, Stano was ranked no. 7 all-time in the event but his time in Podebrady took a significant 57 seconds off the previous world best. Canada’s Evan Dunfee had set that record less than two months prior.
This victory adds to Stano’s already impressive list of achievements.
The 33-year-old experienced athlete previously won gold in the 20km race walk at the Tokyo Olympics. He also secured a gold medal in the 35km race walk at the 2022 World Athletics Championships.
Additionally, Stano contributed to Italy’s gold medal in the team event at the 2023 European Race Walking Team Championships.
During the race at the European Race Walking Team Championships in Podebrady, Stano covered the last 20km in a fast 1:19:06 and moved into the lead around the 23km mark.
He then increased his pace in the final stages, completing laps in under four minutes. This strong finish allowed him to break the world record in convincing fashion.
“The approach to the race was not to set out to break the world record, but the strategy was to close the last twenty as fast as possible,” said Stano. “That was my mission, then the world record was the consequence.
Stano’s career also includes a silver medal from the 2013 European U23 Championships in the 20-kilometer race walk and four national titles.
Before this record-breaking performance, Stano set a 10,000m Race Walk world-leading and national recod time of 37:33.03 in April and posted 1:18:28 over 20km in March.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Maria Perez won the women’s 35km race walk title, securing a come-from-behind victory to regain her crown with a time of 2:38:59.
Reigning European 20km race walk champion Antonella Palmisano of made an impressive debut in the 35km race walk distance, taking second place in a rewarding national record of 2:39:35, while compatriot Nicole Colombi finished third with 2:41:47.
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