The Olympian is surpassed with the best seasonal measure, but it is not enough: “Thinking of being able to jump up to 2.33, before the 2022 world best measure race was utopia”
The only title missing from his wonderful collection, that of the Open World Cup, will remain so for at least another year. But Budapest 2023, after all, is just around the corner. And Eugene 2022’s Gianmarco Tamberi has absolutely nothing to blame. Even if the final fourth place cannot but burn. Gimbo, with 2.33, remains at the foot of a noble podium, whose steps are occupied in order by the increasingly wonderful Qatari Mutaz Barshim (2.37), the third consecutive success, by the South Korean Sanghyeok Woo (2.35) and the Ukrainian Andreiy Protsenko (same 2.33 of the blue, but with fewer errors) who, at 34, gives himself and his injured country a first world champion medal.
The race
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Tamberi – 2.17, 2.24 and 2.27 at the first attempt, miraculous 2.30 at the third with his back to the wall and 2.33 at the second, his best seasonal outdoor measure improved by three centimeters – for a few minutes he cradles the dream of bronze. Then Woo in turn goes over 2.33 in the third round and remains in fourth place. But given the conditions, the many problems and difficulties in qualifying on Friday, the placement must be greeted with applause. “Thinking of being able to jump up to 2.33, before the 2022 best world size race – admits Gimbo, only his right cheek shaved and the flag tattooed on his shoulders – was utopia. Fourth place doesn’t make me happy, but I have no regrets. I thank everyone: my teammates in the stands and who, in Italy, spent the night following me on TV ”. The usual histrionic, during the final involved the public as only he can do. His character continues not to be lacking in him. But in this moment others are flying higher than him: “Mutaz confirms himself as an absolute champion – he maintains – the king of this discipline. You know the friendship that binds us: I am happy for him. Woo was also very good: after the suffered 2.33, he also exceeded 2.35. And Protsenko, especially in this period, deserves everything ”.
The future
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Gimbo, in a month, is expected by the European Championships in Munich. “First – he claims – he must think about getting me back on track. The pain in the rectus femoris nerve of the dead leg was also felt on this occasion and I cannot keep going on painkillers. But it is clear that they remain a concrete goal, like the subsequent Diamond League final in Zurich. “Fortunately, hunger is still great.
July 19 – 06:49
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