Delete
Pepi Sánchez, with her gold medal and a Spain flag after winning the 800 metre sprint in Portugal. SUR
Pepi Sánchez wins the 800-metre sprint in the over-70s category

Pepi Sánchez wins the 800-metre sprint in the over-70s category

At the age of 71, the Antequera athlete took gold at the European Championship in Portugal and will participate in another two events

ANTONIO J. GUERRERO

Friday, 25 February 2022, 12:03

Compartir

With a time of three minutes and 14 seconds, Pepi Sánchez Quintana won gold for Spain in the 800-metre sprint race in the over-70s category at the European Championship in Portugal on Wednesday. The 71-year-old has also broken another record, with her gold-winning time bettering the previous Spanish one by seven seconds.

Pepi is the fastest Spanish 400 and 800-metre sprinter in her category and she is aiming to smash even more records, including times set on the European and world stages.

"I arrived on Tuesday and on Wednesday I was already participating in the 800-metre final and I won. I was very calm, there was a very tall and thin Dane, I saw that I could overtake her, I did, and won. The satisfaction was incredible, to be able to cross the line first after a race and hear my country's anthem and to have the gold [medal] in my hands," Pepi said.

Additionally, she also qualified for the 200-metre sprint final that will take place tomorrow (26 February) in Braga, which means she could take another medal. On Sunday she will participate in the 200-metre relay event. Both races are included in this European championship, which even includes an over-90s category.

"In Spain, I have been competing in and winning races non-stop, but to do it outside [Spain], representing your country and managing to reach and win finals is something that never crossed my mind when I came here," she said.

Reporta un error en esta noticia

* Campos obligatorios