Torun, Poland – Lurdes Gloria Manuel, 20, of the Czech Republic, has etched her name into the history books, claiming the gold medal in the women’s 400 meters at the World Indoor Athletics Championships. Manuel finished with a personal best time of 50.76 seconds, ending an eight-year medal drought for the Czech Republic at the event. The victory marks a stunning return to form for the Ostrava native, who faced setbacks due to injury last year.
Manuel’s performance in Torun was a testament to her resilience and dedication. After missing significant competition time in 2024 due to injury, she arrived at the championships with a personal record of 51.03 seconds. Throughout the competition, she consistently surpassed that mark, culminating in the winning time that secured her the world title. She topped the podium ahead of Poland’s Natalia Bukowiecka and her training partner, Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands.
This win places Manuel among an elite group of Czech athletes. She becomes only the third Czech woman to win a medal at the World Indoor Championships, joining Ludmila Formanová (1999) and Pavla Hamáčková (2001). The significance of this achievement is amplified by the eight-year gap since the Czech Republic last stood on the podium at this prestigious event.
Speaking to Radiožurnál Sport after her victory, Manuel expressed her surprise and delight. “I wanted to fight for a senior medal, but I didn’t expect gold,” she said, reflecting the magnitude of her accomplishment. Her journey to the top has been marked by consistent improvement and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Manuel’s path to the gold medal wasn’t without its challenges. The championships utilized a two-round final format. In the second final, she faced a strong field, including the highly-regarded Norwegian athlete, Henriette Jaeger. Manuel strategically positioned herself to challenge Jaeger from the start. “I tried to proceed faster in the first 200 meters, and it paid off,” she explained. She successfully navigated a slight contact with Jaeger and powered into the lead, demonstrating both her speed and her competitive spirit.
Her coach, Laurent Meuwley, praised Manuel’s courage and tactical execution. “We discussed this tactic, but I wasn’t sure if she could really be that rapid in the first round until the last minute,” Meuwley told Czech Television. “It was 23.27 seconds, which is almost her personal best for 200 meters. I knew that was the only tactic for victory.” Manuel’s personal best in the 200m indoors is 23.06 seconds.
Manuel’s success builds on a remarkable run of achievements. She is the 2024 World Junior Champion in the 400m and was also crowned the European Junior Champion in the same event in 2023. At the 2023 European Junior Championships, she also secured a bronze medal in the 4x400m relay, setting a junior national record of 3:34.84. She also holds the Czech junior national record in the indoor 400m with a time of 52.64 seconds.
The 2024 Paris Olympics saw Manuel compete on the world stage, reaching the semi-finals. Her momentum continued into 2025, where she earned a bronze medal in the 4x400m relay at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, alongside Lada Vondrova, Nikoleta Jíchová, and Tereza Petržilková, setting a national record of 3:25.31. She also claimed gold in the 200m at the Czech Indoor Championships in both 2024 and 2025, and again in 2026.
This victory in Torun solidifies Lurdes Gloria Manuel’s position as a rising star in athletics. Her dedication, talent, and unwavering spirit have propelled her to the pinnacle of the sport. The Czech Republic celebrates a new champion, and the world takes notice of a remarkable athlete.
Manuel’s next scheduled competition is yet to be announced, but she is expected to compete in the upcoming outdoor season. Fans can follow her progress and receive official updates through the Czech Athletics Federation website and her social media channels.
