Highlights from the 2023 Italian Absolute Championships: Filippo Tortu and Fausto Desalu Shine in 200m, Ayomide Folorunso Sets New Record in 400 Hurdles

The third and final day of the 2023 Italian Absolute Championships took place in Molfetta. On the final Sunday, the spotlights were on Filippo Tortu and Fausto Desalu (200 metres), Leonardo Fabbri and Zane Weir (shot put), Sara Fantini (shot of the hammer), Dalia Kaddari (200 metres), Ayomide Folorunso (400 hurdles) and Pietro Arese (1500 metres).

200 METERS (MEN) – Filippo Tortu gave great emotions. The Olympic champion of the 4×100 was recovering from a sub-dislocation of his right shoulder remedied in the relay nine days ago, but despite the taping he ran the best race of the season: curve brushstroke to perfection and excellent launch to finish in 20.14 (1, 7 m/s of favorable wind), four cents off the staff. Behind him Fausto Desalu (20.52 for the Olympic Champion of the 4×100) and Marco Ricci (20.69).

400 HURDLES (FEMALE) – Ayomide Folorunso signed the new Italian record, signing a superb 54.22 and improving by 12 cents her record already stamped last year in the semifinal of the World Championships. The Emilian has become eleventh in the world this season and she can aim for the world championship. Behind her were placed Rebecca Sartori (55.05, personal), Eleonora Marchiando (55.35) and Linda Olivieri (56.61).

Shot Put (MEN) – Spectacular duel between Leonardo Fabbri and Zane Weir. The Tuscan goes to 21.80 meters, stopping just one centimeter from the season and giving the feeling of being in excellent shape towards the World Cup. The Italian-South African finished in second place with 21.69 meters. Lorenzo Del Gatto completed the podium with 19.75.

DECATHLON – Lorenzo Naidon has become the fourth Italian in history to surpass the iconic wall of 8,000 points. The Trentino rider imposed himself with a superb 8.090, leaving behind Lorenzo Modugno (7.613) and Simon Zandarco (7.162).

HAMMER THROW (FEMALE) – Sara Fantini manages to break through the 70-metre wall, right at the last assault with a valid 71.02-metre broadside, after having won the European team championship with an excellent 73.26. The Emilian, European bronze in charge, manages to win the tricolor ahead of Rachele Mori (65.82 for the Under 20 World Champion) and Lucia Prinetti (59.15).

Sara Fantini

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HIGH JUMP (MEN) – Stefano Sottile is back close to the levels of his best days. The 1998 class passed 2.28 on the third attempt, then committed three nulls at 2.30. Beaten Marco Fassinotti (2.21) and Eugenio Meloni (2.18). Gianmarco Tamberi was absent: the Olympic Champion will compete on August 5 in Germany before going to the World Championships.

POLE Vault (WOMEN) – Roberta Bruni won by overcoming 4.60 meters on her first attempt and then sought the new Italian record, failing the three trials at 4.73. The Lazio seems to be growing in form towards the World Cup, today she easily tamed Elisa Molinarolo (4.30) and Giada Pozzato (4.30).

LONG JUMP (WOMEN) – Larissa Iapichino was absent after three victories in the Diamond League. Ottavia Cestonaro signs a splendid encore after yesterday’s affirmation in the triple jump: 6.37 meters to overcome Marta Amani (6.18) and Arianna Battistella (6.13).

LONG JUMP (MEN) – Filippo Randazzo returns to the levels of his best days and wins with a good leap from 7.88 meters (0.5 m/s of headwind). Behind him were placed Kareem Hatem Mersal (7.69) and Antonino Trio (7.52).

200 METERS (WOMEN) – A better performance could have been expected from Dalia Kaddari, who won in 22.90 with zero wind. Behind her Anna Bongiorni (23.29) and Irene Siragusa (23.58).

800 METERS (MEN) – Simone Barontini wins thanks to perfect effort management and a commendable interpretation of the final straight, triumphing with a remarkable 1:44.50 (personal demolished by four tenths, minimum for the World Championships). Beat Catalin Tecuceanu (1:45.04) and Francesco Pernici (1:45.23).

800 METERS (WOMEN) – Eloisa Coiro towers over the final straight overcoming the two direct opponents and wins in 2:00.43. Behind her were the awaited Gaia Sabbatini (2:00.87) and Elena Bellò (2:01.22).

400 OBSTACLE (MEN) – Mario Lambrughi convincingly falls under 50 seconds, winning with a good 49.54 (seasonal). Widely detached Michele Bertoldo (50.08) and Lorenzo Cesena (50.80, personal).

400 METERS (WOMEN) – Exciting shoulder to shoulder between Alessandra Bonora and Giancarla Trevisan: 52.24 against 52.25. Third place for Anna Polinari (52.67).

400 METERS (MEN) – Davide Re confirms the prediction of the eve by imposing himself in 45.21 ahead of Lorenzo Benati (45.39) and Edoardo Scotti (45.76).

1500 METERS (FEMALE) – Sinta Vissa wins the confrontation with Federica Del Buono (4:06.85 against 4:07.05). Ludovica Cavalli third in 4:09.79.

1500 METERS (MEN) – Pietro Arese easily wins a tactical race in 3:46.07, leaving behind Ossama Meslek (3:47.20) and Moh Abdikadar (3:47.58).

3000 HEDGES (FEMALE) – Solo by Eleonora Curtabbi (9:55.28), on the podium Sveva Fascetti (10:06.25) and Laura Dalla Montà (10:10.45).

3000 HEDGES (MEN) – Domain of Ala Zoghlami (8:30.97), who precedes Enrico Vecchi (8:35.62) and Yassin Bouih (8:39.57).

DISCUS THROW (MEN) – Giovanni Faloci confirms the prediction of the eve, placing the valid hit on the fourth attempt: 59.81 meters to conquer the tricolor in front of Enrico Saccomano (56.21) and Carmelo Musci (56.19).

Shot Put (WOMEN) – Anna Musci breaks the bank at the last attempt, sending the implement to 15.74 meters and thus overtaking Monia Cantarelli, author of a 15.58 a few moments earlier. The 2004 class wins the Italian flag ahead of its rival, while Sara Verteramo closes in third place after leading the last series (15.29). Daisy Osakue also on the platform after yesterday’s triumph in the discus: fifth with 14.73.

HEPTATHLON – Scilla Benussi triumphs with her personal best of 5,334 points, narrowly beating Giulia Riccardi (5,314). Alice Lunardon completes the podium (5.262).