Kimberly Garcia Leon Wins First Ever Gold Medal For Peru
By Bibhu Ray
(The Quiver):On Friday, Kimberly Garcia Leon won Peru’s first ever gold medal dominating the women’s 20 km race walk, the opening event of the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Gracia Leon, who is also listed to take part in next week’s 35km race walk, clocked 1hr 26 min 58 sec to smash her country’s national record as she mastered the race in hot, sunny conditions.It was the first ever world championships medal of any kind for Peru.
Poland’s Katarzyna Zdzieblo took silver in 1:27.31,with China’s Qieyang Shijie claiming the bronze in the Championship.”I have dreamed of this medal since I was little, said Garcia Leon.
“I want to dedicate it to all Peruvians. They will be very proud. This is the first medal for us at the world championships and I hope it won’t be the last one.” “I have worked hard, hoping to be in a good placing. It’s not been easy, but I am a fighter.””At the 15th mark, my coach instructed me to up the pace,” the Peruvian acknowledged.
“I told myself it would be now or never. In the last kilometer, I gave it all to break my national record.Spain’s European record holder Maria Perez, ranked second in the world, racked up three red cards for the loss of contact between running shoes and ground within 7km, meaning an enforced pitstop of two minutes that effectively put an end to her hopes. She was eventually disqualified at the 13km mark.Defending champion Liu Hong of China was fifth, failing just short in her bid to become the first four-time world champion in a race walking event.
