It was supposed to be María Vicente's (22-year-old) big day. He was in the best shape of his life. He had just broken the Spanish pentathlon record a month ago. He presented himself at the World Cup in Glasgow with the best mark of the participants. But everything was gone in an instant. As he was about to cross the 1.73 meter high bar, he noticed a sharp pain in the Achilles tendon of his left leg. He immediately realized that the world was falling on top of him.
"Please, no, please, no", he muttered between his teeth and already with tears on his face. He touched the area of the injury and was no longer able to stand up. The rivals and the judges went to the high mattress and tried to provide an impossible consolation. And in the end, the stretcher appeared to leave the World Cup like this. The worst news came later. Complete rupture of the Achilles tendon. Goodbye therefore also to the Olympic Games in Paris. A total nightmare.
And you see that the morning had started well for Hospitalet. He had put himself at the head of the pentathlon in the first test, the 60 meter hurdles. With great weather, too. 8.07 seconds, barely a hundredth worse than his personal best, the one he achieved in the Spanish Championships. Vicente was smiling then, despite starring in a null exit that had no effect on him at all. She was euphoric.
Ramón Cid's pupil had in his hands to make history and get Spain's first international medal in the absolute category in the combined. He finally seemed to have put the injuries and frustrations behind him. She was finally re-emerging after being a child prodigy, junior world champion and junior European champion. But this time has not been good either and he will have to start all over again. In February 2022, he suffered a torn quadriceps in his left leg that slowed his progress. A few months later he was at the European Championships in Munich, he withdrew after three void jumps in the length of the heptathlon and subsequently had to go through the operating room.
A real shame for her and for the Spanish team, as she was one of the strongest medal options.
"When I speak with Dr. Jordi Puigdellívol, who operated on my quadriceps, and with Miquel Àngel Cos (physiotherapist), whom I trust completely, they will take me to Barcelona to operate and begin rehabilitation, however long it may be. Rest assured that I will come back, stronger, I hope", said Vicente still excited. "I had no prior warning. It really hit me, I put the support on and I heard a crack. Just add one plus one and see what happened. I'm still shaking, in shock. I know it will be harder than the last time but I hope to return", he concluded. The recovery time can range from 9 to 12 months of leave.
As for the rest of the Spanish participation in the opening day, the good feelings of Mariano García in the 800 meters stood out. The Murcian, who defends the title won two years ago, prevailed in his series with total solvency. He stretched from start to finish to set a time of 1m45s81. Mohamed Attaoui, who dominated his heat (1m46s20), also qualified for the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Adel Mechaal made his debut in the 1,500 meters by qualifying for the final after finishing second (3m42s85). Mario García Romo also got his ticket after being third in his race (3m46s48). In the same distance, in women, Esther Guerrero reached the final with a third position in her series (4m14s23).
