Italian Masters Champs with 15 national records in Arezzo

Another memorable edition of the Italian Masters Championships took place in Arezzo, for the second time in three years. This beautiful Tuscan city, not far from Florence, hosted three days of competition – from June 29th to July 1st – with more than 1300 athletes entered. Fifteen new national age group records have been set. Among the most notable performances, Hubert Indra presented himself again in top shape, on the same track where one month before he smashed the M60 decathlon world record with 8202 points. Born in 1957 and an international multi-eventer in the 80s, he broke the 100m hurdles national record in 15.58. Not to forget that he overcame a severe health condition, a tongue cancer, less than two years ago.

Giuseppe Ottaviani, 102-year-old, competed in long jump (0,75/+2.9) and shot put (2,87), showing again that age is no limit.

But also some famous Italian athletes successfully decided to be part of this event. One of them is hammer thrower Marco Lingua, who reached the final at last year’s IAAF World Championships in London and is looking forward to the Berlin Euros. Now, at 40, he won in Arezzo with a mark of 72.09. In middle distance Gloria Marconi, a sub 2h30 marathon runner, did the W50 national record in 1500m clocking 4:49.32. Two athletes were particularly impressive, setting a couple of records each one: M70 sprinter Livio Bugiardini, 27.31 in 200m and 1:01.19 in 400m, but also former Olympian Carmelo Rado, with the new M85 record in discus (35.37) and weight throw (14.86).

The event had a full coverage in free live video streaming operated by FIDAL Servizi with on-screen graphics, for the second year in a row. EMA Treasurer Gerardo Vaiani Lisi, also a National Federation council member, attended the competition.

Full reports and results are available at FIDAL (Italian Athletics Federation) website: http://www.fidal.it/calendario/CAMPIONATI-ITALIANI-INDIVIDUALI-su-PISTA-MASTER/COD6637

On-demand videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/atleticaitaliana/videos

Luca Cassai

Photo: FotoGP.it