Topi Raitanen has won the 3000 meter steeplechase European championship. Raitanen’s championship came with a winning time of 8:21.80.
Timo Uusitalo,
Joska Saarinen
19.8. 22:12•Updated 20.8. 0:14
Finland Top Raitanen won European Championship gold in the 3000m steeplechase in Munich on Friday.
The medal is Finland’s second at the Munich European Athletics Championships. Pole vaulter Wilma Murto previously achieved the European Championship with a race record and SE score of 485. Later on Friday evening Kristiina Mäkelä increased Finland’s medal tally to three when jumping with an SE result of 14.64 European Championship silver.
– It feels very good. Work has been done for this for many years. Corona has postponed the games and I knew that I am among those who have a chance to succeed. The pace distribution was suitable for me today, admitted Raitanen.
Raitanen took the lead on the back straight of the last lap and had time to show off his victory twenty meters before the finish line.
Raitanen’s winning time is 8:21.80. Italian Ahmed Abdelwahed took silver and Italy Osama Zoghlam bronze.
The 3000 meter steeplechase final was suitable for the Finn. Raitanen started at the front of the whole group at the very beginning, so that he could get the pace slow enough in the first lap.
Raitanen is known for his kiri ability, which is why the slow-paced tactical run suited him. This was seen in the last round, when the others had no chance against Raitanen’s kiri.
Raitanen was not among the big favorites in the hurdles in advance, although everyone knew about his strong finish and current condition. In the season statistics of the finalists, the Finn’s top time was the sixth best of the bunch.
The tactic was perfectly created for the Finnish fear of obstacles.
– A nice little run, which we practiced at the Kaleva Games. The end came strong. It was nice to wait for the last couple of laps to see if anyone can tighten up.
– I pulled the back straight obstacle well and at that point I thought that you have to be a tough guy if you are going to get past me. After the last obstacle, I thought how long I have to wait here before I can ventilate. Oh, that was a great moment, tasted the new European champion.
Raitanen reminded that since he was a little boy, he has dreamed of this while practicing on the shore of Lake Tuusulanjärvi.
– It’s been great that I’ve had great partners behind me since I was young, who have believed that an orienteer can still be trained to become an international level runner. My family and girlfriend have also been important supporters all along.
Raitanen finished eighth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase final at last year’s Tokyo Olympic Games with a time of 8:17.44, being the best European. In the World Championships in Eugene a month ago, the representative of Helsinki’s Kisa-Veikko qualified due to stomach problems in the preliminaries with a modest time of 8:43.01.
Raitanen’s show
The end of the hurdles final, i.e. 200 meters, was Raitanen’s full display, there was no doubt about the winner at any point.
Coach Janne Ukonmaanaho was confident before the final and especially on the training ground.
– Today was Top’s screening. At the point when he pulled a “hole” on the net court, I said he’s never looked so good!
– He took the first lap to 66 seconds with the handbrake on, and after that it was all about keeping the pace calm and saving energy. The bet of the Italians to get to the top was already known, but it was not enough to make Top’s streak dull, Ukonmaanaho was happy.
Raitanen’s EC medal in the 3000 meter steeplechase is Finland’s fifth of all time. Jukka Keskisalon In addition to the European Championship 16 years ago Olavi Rinneenpää (1954) has celebrated EC silver as well Ismo Toukonen (1978) and Alf Lindblad (1938) EC bronze.
“Hard to beat in Europe”
Topi’s parents were found fresh in the stands Snare and Tuija Raitanen.
– It feels great! It was a surprise to me that it went so well, Topi led almost the whole way, Tuija Raitanen cheered and added that the tactic was at least new to him.
The champion runner has been in good shape lately and his parents were also aware of his will to win.
– Topi has usually been in the latter groups and then moved up from there, observing. Now he clearly trusted himself and believed in tactics. He is hard to beat in Europe. I knew how to expect a medal, but the championship was a surprise. Janne and Topi put together the deck nicely after the difficult trip to America, praised Anssi Raitanen.
M 3,000 METERS OBSTACLES, final race
1. Topi Raitanen FIN 8.21,80
2. Ahmed Abdelwahed ITA 8:22,35
3. Osama Zoghlami ITA 8:23,44
4. Daniel Arce ESP 8.25,00
5. Karl Bebendorf GER 8:26,49
6. Sebastian Martos ESP 8.26,68
7. Ala Zoghlami ITA 8.27,82
8. Djilali Bedrani FRA 8:28,52
9. Phil Norman GBR 8.33.05
10. Emil Blomberg SWE 8:33,09