• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home European Athletics

Andy Pozzi wins a tough race, takes first European Indoor Gold in hard fought 60 meter hurdles!

Larry Ederby Larry Eder
March 3, 2017
0
0 0
0
SHARES
3
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

0022_000358.jpgKombank Arena, home of 2017 European Indoor Championships, photo by PhotoRun.net

The 34th European Indoor Athletics championships started quietly in the morning session, and then, ended with a bang (literally) in the evening. It is 10 PM local time in Belgrade, and I am starting to tire.

RelatedPosts

Six Meets to watch for FREE this week (Streaming), thanks to European Athletics!

Paris Diamond League delivers

The 2025 European Athletics Team Championships, Division 1, Final Results: Italy are the champions once again!

Here’s a reasonable commentary on the evening session, considering my jet lag.

Andy Pozzi is one of my favorite athletes, because of what he has overcome. Enduring five foot surgeries to pursue the discipline of hurdling is a bit much to ask for any athlete. This writer watched Pozzi blow the field away in Birmingham on February 18, at the Muller Indoor Grand Prix. Pozzi has the WL and PB, from Muller, of 7.43. Finishing fourth in two World Indoor Championships has to be just, well, difficult (insert British colloquial expletive here).

Andy Pozzi.jpgAndy Pozzi, British Trials, photo courtesy of British Athletics

In a very tight race, Andy Pozzi kept his cool and endured to win the European Championships in a fine 7.51. Pascal Martinot-Lagarde, FRA, took the silver in 7.52 and hurdle museum piece (he’s a bit older and wiser than the others), Petr Svoboda, took the bronze in 7.53, while Garfield Darien, FRA, was fourth in 7.54.

Hurdles were hit (by Lagarde and Darien, I believe), but Andy Pozzi kept his cool and leaned at the finish (see finish line photo below).

Andy Pozzi has some serious studs that he defeated. Pascal Martinot-Lagarde is the defending European champion, and fourth in both 2015 Beijing and 2016 Rio. Garfield Darien, another of the French hurdle studs, just missed a medal. Petr Svoboda, 2011 European Indoor Champion, has learnt some hard lessons over the length of a colorful career. Remember, kind readers, that Petr lead the Europeans in 2010 until he clobbered the seventh hurdle, where he went from numero uno to numero six. Today, Petr kept it together, and his leaping celebration showed the joy of a man who understands that bronze medals are as good as gold medals (well, a different color).

To remind us how close the race was, read this snipppet from Monsieur Martinot-Lagarde: “It was a very tight race, we all finished in block which makes it a good race. I actually won the silver medal in the finish line. I had a small inbjury scare ahead of these championships and could feel some pain when I finished the race although it didn’t bother me whilst running.”

As many coaches have told you, but the coach character (portrayed by actor, Scott Glenn, modeled after Chuck DeBus) in the American movie, Personal Best said best: Athletics is warfare. Reinforce the neuromuscular loop baby, make that lean at the finish so crisp, so real that you dream about it. This race was determined by centimeters.

Enough said.

This was a real battle, not always pretty, as hurdles hit screw up focus, but, Andy Pozzi learnt a big lesson today. Take those tough wins, because they are always sweeter the harder that they come. Pozzi and Martinot-Lagarde were so damn close that I wondered if the Brit got it. Petr Svoboda used that experience to take the bronze in the very last trying steps, and we know, but we forget in such exhausting duels, that races are not always won, but they sure are lost.

Tonight, Andy Pozzi won his first major gold medal, Pascal Martinot-Lagarde took the silver and Petr Svoboda grabbed the bronze. Just look at the photo!

pf_1_ATM066101.pngFinish line photo of Mens’ 60m hurdles, courtesy of European Athletics

Author

  • Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    View all posts
Previous Post

“This is the Way the World ends” , musings on 60 meter hurdles and quoting TS Eliot, by Stuart Weir

Next Post

USATF Day One: “Combined Events” Kick off Indoor Championships

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

Monaco Herculis Diamond League Meeting, the intro
Diamond League

Monaco always delivers

July 15, 2025
Denise Lewis is the new President of  UK Athletics
Interviews

Hannah England on commentary

July 15, 2025
Donavan Brazier’s Long Way Back to running Fast
Cross Country

2025 Summer Mileage Program, July 14, 2025, Week Two , Day One, some thoughts on Donavan Brazier

July 15, 2025
FARAH SAYS SUNDAY’S LONDON MARATHON WILL BE HIS LAST
Athletic History

This Day in Track & Field History, July 13, Jim Thorpe Wins Olympic Decathlon (3 Day event), 1912, Dave Bedford breaks 10,000m WR (1973), written and compiled by Walt Murphy

July 14, 2025
Ten Questions to Eilidh Doyle…(from the RBR Archives 2021)
Interviews

Ten Questions to Eilidh Doyle…(from the RBR Archives 2021)

July 14, 2025
Eilidh Doyle-Passing the Baton, A Documentary Film Edited and Filmed by Urbane Media for Scottish Athletics
Interviews

Eilidh Doyle-Passing the Baton, A Documentary Film Edited and Filmed by Urbane Media for Scottish Athletics

July 14, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

April 5, 2023
2023 Nike Pre Classic: Two Amazing Days of Track & Field!

Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

March 7, 2024
Grand Slam Track’s Kingston Slam Comes to a Close with 12 Slam Champions

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

April 12, 2025
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

February 6, 2025
Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

8
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

7
My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

7
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
Monaco Herculis Diamond League Meeting, the intro

Monaco always delivers

July 15, 2025
Denise Lewis is the new President of  UK Athletics

Hannah England on commentary

July 15, 2025
Donavan Brazier’s Long Way Back to running Fast

2025 Summer Mileage Program, July 14, 2025, Week Two , Day One, some thoughts on Donavan Brazier

July 15, 2025
FARAH SAYS SUNDAY’S LONDON MARATHON WILL BE HIS LAST

This Day in Track & Field History, July 13, Jim Thorpe Wins Olympic Decathlon (3 Day event), 1912, Dave Bedford breaks 10,000m WR (1973), written and compiled by Walt Murphy

July 14, 2025

Popular Stories

  • Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • An epic pole vault competition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Monaco Herculis Diamond League Meeting, the intro
Diamond League

Monaco always delivers

July 15, 2025
Denise Lewis is the new President of  UK Athletics
Interviews

Hannah England on commentary

July 15, 2025
Donavan Brazier’s Long Way Back to running Fast
Cross Country

2025 Summer Mileage Program, July 14, 2025, Week Two , Day One, some thoughts on Donavan Brazier

July 15, 2025
FARAH SAYS SUNDAY’S LONDON MARATHON WILL BE HIS LAST
Athletic History

This Day in Track & Field History, July 13, Jim Thorpe Wins Olympic Decathlon (3 Day event), 1912, Dave Bedford breaks 10,000m WR (1973), written and compiled by Walt Murphy

July 14, 2025

Recent Tweets

Next Post

USATF Day One: "Combined Events" Kick off Indoor Championships

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved