Asier Martínez is covered in bronze

The progression of Asier Martínez (27-4-2000, Zizur) does not seem to have limits. The Navarrese grows and grows and is already installed in the world elite with only 22 years and only seven years of experience in athletics. When the 2021 outdoor season began, his mark in the 110m hurdles was 13.70. He was fourth at the Torun Indoor Europeans in 2021, sixth at the Games and fourth this winter at the Belgrade Indoor Worlds. And now, at 22 years old, he is already world bronze, from which he leaves with a mark of 13.17, and has given Spanish athletics a large dose of confidence in this event in Eugene. At the moment, he is the first medal for Spain in this World Cup, the same color and the same test as the last one, Orlando Ortega’s third place in Doha 2019.

The circumstances of the 110-meter hurdles final helped the Navarrese, as he acknowledged in the mixed zone, but his talent is standard and allows him to do things like last night, in a plethoric race that has led him to a bronze that tastes like glory “I don’t know how to describe this moment, I still don’t believe it. After Parchment’s withdrawal to my surprise and Allen’s unsuccessful start, I made calculations and thought that he could fight for the medals. I have always had my feet on the ground and I know that this medal has come due to certain conditions beyond me. I have fought it and I think I have earned it but of course there is no denying that there were great favorites who for one reason or another have failed, ”said the hurdler from Zizur after that third place behind the Americans Grant Holloway (13.03) and Trey Cunningham (13.08), who prolong the reconquest of the United States in this World Cup.

Martínez was referring to the injury that Olympic champion Hansle Parchment suffered in the warm-up, in what was the first knock-on effect ahead of the 110-meter hurdles final. But there was still another key moment. Because the leader of the year Devon Allen, in what was going to be his last test before making the leap to the NFL (American football), was disqualified for leaving 99 hundredths after the shot, that is, for one hundredth.

«I have come out very well. It was a typical start for me, because I entered the first fence very strongly and then I had a clean and very good race, so I am very happy because this is a dream for me. I have managed that well. It’s been two seconds in which I realized that I could really get a medal. It was very difficult to beat the two remaining Americans, and it has been seen that way because they were much superior, but I didn’t see the other rivals superior to me. In lane eight I had no references but already at the finish line I turn my head a little and I see that I am third. That moment has been a discharge of emotions. I have shouted… I don’t know, I don’t know, it is a very difficult moment to describe with words, “acknowledged Asier Martínez. Although he tried, “not being an easy tear” he couldn’t cry, said Zizur’s.

Again as in Tokyo, the result was higher than expectations. «Before coming I signed the final very happy. In fact, overcoming the semifinals had already left me very calm because I had more than fulfilled. I spoke with my family, with my friends and with all my surroundings who were supporting me from Iruña, because for them it has also been something incredible, and more so during the hours that they are there. I really can’t describe this in words.”

Martínez dedicated the bronze to his people and especially to his coach, Frenchman François Beoringyan, the man who saw that lanky kid jump high on the Larrabide track (Pamplona). “He was 16 years old and that’s where the adventure began,” recalls his technician, who took him to the world of fences where his mother Elena Etxarte had stood out. Beoringyan was in charge of polishing Zizur Mayor’s jewel to the elite thanks to that physical and technical ability that he has over obstacles despite being myopic, with two diopters in each eye. «I don’t see very well, but nothing happens either because in the end the 110 hurdles are a very mechanical race. Everything is measured », he replied when asked why he did not wear glasses or contact lenses.

Political Science student at the UPV, this season he has decided to do it online to have more training time and not have to travel to Bilbao. Between his town and the Larrabide track he spends his days, although whenever he can he disconnects with his inseparable gang of friends, “some hangers who are completely different from me, I love them and who create the environment that helps me the most”, according to its own definition.

The great day of Spanish athletics did not stop with Asier Martínez. Mohamed Katir, Ignacio Fontes and Mario García Romo will be in the final of the 1,500 meters, something that has not happened for Spain since 2003 and that takes the national athletics to great past times for the middle distance.