Torun, Poland – March 20, 2026 – The World Indoor Championships in Torun are proving to be a showcase for Spanish athletics, with Mariano García and Carlos Sáez securing their places in the final of the 1500 meters. Blanca Hervás also delivered a strong performance, qualifying for the final of the 400 meters. The successes continue a strong showing for the Spanish team, building momentum as the championships progress.
Mariano García, the 2022 world champion in the 800 meters (Belgrade), demonstrated his dominance in the 1500m semifinals on Friday. The Murcian athlete took control of his heat, moving to the front of the pack and steadily increasing the pace. He ultimately won his semifinal in a time of 3:38.19, the fastest of the evening. García appeared comfortable throughout the race, a promising sign as he prepares for Sunday’s final, scheduled for 18:38 local time (UTC+1).
Carlos Sáez also advanced to the final, finishing third in his heat. Sáez’s journey to this point is particularly inspiring. The Barcelona native faced a life-threatening health scare at age 17, suffering an ischemic stroke during apnea training. After a lengthy recovery process, including the discovery of a damaged artery, he has returned to competition at a high level. His perseverance and determination were on full display as he secured his spot in the final, following the pace of Portuguese favorite Isaac Nader.
The final of the 1500m promises to be a thrilling contest, with García and Sáez facing a competitive field including Italy’s Federico Riva, Australia’s Adam Spencer, the United States’ Nathan Green, Portugal’s Isaac Nader, Sweden’s Samuel Pihlström, France’s Titouan Le Grix, and the Netherlands’ Samuel Chapple.
Hervás, Sensational in 400m
Blanca Hervás continued her impressive indoor season, securing a place in the 400m final. The Madrid native ran a smart race in the semifinals, positioning herself behind Dutch runner Lieke Klaver and maintaining that pace to the finish line. Her time of 51.58 seconds was enough to qualify for the final based on time. Hervás will be back on the track on Saturday at 20:40 local time (UTC+1) for the final, which will be split into two races of four athletes each.
The Spanish team also saw promising results in the 800 meters, with Mohamed Attaoui, Lorea Ibarzabal, and Rocío Arroyo all advancing to the semifinals. Attaoui employed his characteristic tactical approach, starting conservatively and then accelerating on the final lap to finish second in his heat with a time of 1:45.75. Ibarzabal and Arroyo both qualified for the semifinals based on time.
The success of these athletes underscores the growing strength of Spanish athletics on the international stage. The World Indoor Championships provide a crucial opportunity for athletes to test their form and gain valuable experience ahead of the outdoor season. For Sáez, in particular, reaching the final represents a remarkable achievement given his past health challenges.
The competition in Torun is fierce, but the Spanish team has demonstrated its ability to rise to the occasion. Fans will be eagerly anticipating Sunday’s 1500m final, where García and Sáez will have the chance to compete for a medal. Hervás will also be looking to make her mark in the 400m final on Saturday.
The next opportunity to see these athletes compete will be in their respective finals. The 400m final featuring Blanca Hervás is scheduled for Saturday at 20:40 local time (UTC+1), while the 1500m final with Mariano García and Carlos Sáez will take place on Sunday at 18:38 local time (UTC+1). Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the World Indoor Championships.
