This Sunday, João Vieira became national champion of the 35 km race walk for the eighth time, in the 71st title of his career, with Vitória Oliveira being 'tri' in the distance in women's races, at the Race Walking Nationals, which took place in Lagoa.
For Sporting's 48-year-old veteran walker, the title was achieved in 2:38.17 hours, the fourth best personal best of his career in the distance, making him pre-selected for the Marching Nations Championship.
Vieira left Manuel Marques (Jardim da Serra) in second place, with a time of 3:06.28, and Amaro Teixeira (Póvoa de Varzim) in third, with a time of 3:26.27.
"The first objective was to be national champion, the second was to achieve a good mark and gain points [for the Tokyo 2025 World Championship], to be able to reach the 35 km distance. I fought with all my strength to achieve this, to be champion and to collect points" , declared the winner, cited by the Portuguese Athletics Federation.
According to him, alongside the "great feat" of having already won a record 71 titles, is the desire to "continue to set an example among young people".
Favoritism also prevailed for Vitória Oliveira in the women's race, after the Benfica athlete isolated herself in the first few meters, and among everyone behind only João Vieira, to cross the finish line in 3:02.02 hours.
"I feel like I fulfilled the minimum tasks. The objective was to finish, be national champion and set the benchmark [for the European Championship of Nations]. I did it. In the first phase of the race I felt good, but that's normal, because my preparation is aimed at 20 kilometers", he explained.
In second place was Joana Pontes (Leiria Marcha), with 3:12.00.
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