The new phenomenon of Spanish athletics, the triple jumper of Cuban origin Jordan Díaz (21 years old), shook the Spanish Championships in Nerja (Málaga). He did it without delay, without speculation, without time to get into flour. At first, he accelerated and made a wonderful jump. He fell into the pit like an exhalation and signed 17.87 m, a new record for Spain, the new best world record of the year and the thirteenth in all of history. He already had the national record and was already the universal leader of the year, but his progression is enormous. His technician, Iván Pedroso, the guru of jumpers, was the first to congratulate him. He knows that he has a diamond that is no longer in the rough but is on its way to doing something great. He will still not be able to participate with Spain in the World Cup or in the European this summer because, after deserting Cuba, he only obtained nationality last February.
The Barça athlete, settled with Pedroso's elite group in Guadalajara, was already world champion under-18 and under-20 and has only devoured Spanish records. He could have been even better, because in his second jump he went to 17.93 m but they were windy.
If Jordan Díaz shone, so did other names. At 5,000 on Saturday, Mo Katir had withstood Adel Mechaal's challenge in a supersonic last thousand (2m22s). The possibility of revenge was served. Both also competed side by side in the 1,500 m, a distance with so many historical reminiscences in Spanish athletics. Double or revenge in Nerja. There was no other, unless some guest slipped in and spoiled the party. And that was precisely what happened because the tandem of favorites was surprised by the strength of Mario García Romo, from Salamanca, a 22-year-old chemistry student at the University of Mississippi. With a great final rush, the American, university runner-up in the distance, surpassed Katir, who lacked punch and had plenty of fatigue in the last meters. Meanwhile, the always self-sacrificing Nacho Fontes got third and Mechaal, totally broke and with bad symptoms since passing through the 1,000, finished fourth.
Victory for García Romo, with a personal best (3m35s52), a phenomenal time to be a championship and not a rally. He was elated. "I did not expect it, it has been the career of my life, the result of many years of work," said García Romo, who plans to continue his studies in the United States.
He was not the only winner of the day from Salamanca. Because in one of the most anticipated races of the championship, the men's 800 m was won by Álvaro de Arriba. “There were a lot of nerves, this was one of the best tests of the championships, we were all very well and I was able to win the last 150 meters”, said De Arriba. His satisfaction was justified. In the final there were five athletes with the minimum achieved for the World Cup, but the places for Spain were only three and they were at stake. The winner controlled the situation at all times in a race that accelerated towards the end, with Mariano García shooting like a man possessed and De Arriba marking him.
In the final stretch, the indoor world champion gave way (1m46s4) to De Arriba's onslaught (1m45s82, the best mark in the history of the championships). The Olympic finalist Adrián Ben (1m46s1) also overtook García on the finish line. “We have given a show and we have enjoyed it. To beat Álvaro when he is well, you have to suffer a lot, ”said Mariano García. The Eugene World Cup awaits you.
