Llopis and Jordan fly, Attaoui wins the 800 and La Nucía shares the last minimum points with Paris

The 104th edition of the Spanish Athletics Championships ended this Sunday in La Nucía with the stellar performance of Quique Llopis, Jordan Díaz and Mohamed Attaoui, in the 110 meter hurdles, the triple jump and the 800, while Águeda Marqués and Jaël Bestué achieved two tickets to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The Camilo Cano Stadium left two RFEA minimums on the last day, those of Águeda Marqués (1,500) and Jaël Bestué (200), who will be in Paris after suffering until the last day before the national coach, José Peiró, draws up the list for Paris 2024. Esther Guerrero won the ‘milqui’, while, after being surpassed in the 5,000 by Thierry Ndikumwenayo, Adel Mechaal got his revenge with his fifth gold in the 1,500, where Javier Mirón was second while awaiting the World Athletics ranking to find out if he will be at the Games. In the men’s 200, Pol Retamal did not reach that minimum, despite a great victory that he did not fully celebrate.

Quique Llopis will be heading to the French capital with a medal ambition. He flew in the 110m hurdles final, equalling Orlando Ortega’s Championship record (13.16), ahead of Asier Martínez. The recent European runner-up secured an undisputed victory as the European triple jump champion.

Jordan Díaz only competed against himself in the triple jump and he did not fail in his first chance to be the Spanish champion. One who comes and another who goes, as was Carlos Tobalina, with his last title as national shot put champion, the seventh in a row, with 19.31 and the recognition of the entire stadium.

The last morning session was already exciting, especially with the important final of the men’s 800m, where Mohamed Attaoui won. In a very ‘Spanish’ race and distance, with up to six athletes playing to be in Paris in one way or another, Mariano García had to give everything to get into the fight, but he was not able to.

The Murcian led the race but finished fourth, ahead of Attaoui who, after his recent continental silver in Rome, also excelled in La Nucía despite entering last in the last lap (1:45:03). Second was Elvin Josué Canales (1:45.53) and third was Adrián Ben (1:45:55), in a ‘selective’ that seems to have no surprises on José Peiró’s Olympic list this Wednesday.

Also in the morning, the women’s weight and javelin competitions went to Belén Toimil, five centimeters away from her Spanish record to win her fifth national title, and Yulenmis Aguilar. Meanwhile, Manu Quijera relieved his brother Nico, with the title in the men’s javelin.