Susana Feitor of Portugal during the Press Conference (© Getty Images)
Susana Feitor will be setting a record next Wednesday (31 August) in Daegu, just by taking her first steps in the women’s 20Km Race Walk, marking an unprecedented 11th appearance at the IAAF World Championships.
Not that she’s looking to stop, now she’s enjoying it.
Since Berlin 2009, the 36-year-old Portuguese race walker jointly has the most appearances at ten with German discus thrower Franka Dietzsch, having competed in every World Championships since 1991. Her career highlight during that time being the bronze medal she won at Helsinki in 2005.
Russian dominance of the podium places may well continue, but Feitor is looking forward with enthusiasm, intending to match her achievements and renew rivalries that helped inspire others to follow.
Indeed, these days Portugal has a glut of talent in her event, with a full complement of three selected for the women’s Race Walk in their team of 24 athletes for Daegu.
Feitor’s return to form this season includes a 1:30:44 clocking at Rio Maior in April (her fastest 20 km since 2008), while Inês Henriques has twice walked faster. Ana Cabecinha is also set to toe the line for the race that starts at 9am on Wednesday 31 August.
“My main goal is to give the best performance for my country,” said Feitor, before traveling for the Championships. “I’m working to improve on tenth place in Berlin.”
Tokyo to Berlin - remembered in their own way
When looking back at her previous ten World Championships, Feitor’s best memories aren’t necessarily of the better performances as much as the cultures of the host cities and being part of a team.
“How can I forget my best moment? It has to be my bronze medal in Helsinki, but also Osaka, where I was fifth, as I really enjoyed Japan. Each championship was different and I’ve special memories of each.”
“At my first in ’91 in Tokyo I think back as being little and among a team with stars such as Rosa Mota in the marathon.”
“I was happy mixing with the other athletes and competing, and I still am 20 years later!”
Road to Beijing not as planned
Steady improvement in the 1990s, culminating in fourth position in the Seville World Championships, was followed by 14th position at the Sydney Olympics, disqualification in Edmonton and only 20th position at the Athens Olympic Games.
“After Athens it crossed my mind to stop, but instead I made a restart: planning for Beijing 2008, which began to pay off with my medal in Helsinki. I put all my strength in Beijing and I was in my best ever shape, but it didn’t go as planned. It would have been very frustrating to have such an unhappy ending to my walking career.”
“After a while I thought I needed to keep going. Suddenly, I’m almost there again but not so stressed. I’m very happy and enjoying it. Mixing with the athletes and competing makes me very happy.”
Feitor missed out on a place for the European Championships last year, but rallied toward the end of the season to gain sixth place (and third Portuguese) in the IAAF World Race Walking Challenge standings.
This year, at the European Cup of Race Walking in Olhão, Portugal, Feitor gained a creditable ninth position, the winner being the new world record holder, Vera Sokolova of Russia. As a final warmup, on 31 July Feitor was second to Inês Henriques in the Portuguese 10,000m championship in a time of 44:13.
“Things are going well, and I’m enjoying working with my new coach (Stephan Plätzer - husband of double Olympic silver medallist Kjersti Plätzer). I’m doing everything possible to repeat what’s worked before.”
“Stephan has been coaching me for a year now, but obviously I’ve known him a long time. I’ve previously trained with Kjersti at altitude camp so we know how we both work and his philosophy. I feel it was a very good step to work with him; there are some differences in approach but it’s not a revolution. It’s a process of building day by day, needing to pay extra attention to details to help avoid injury as I’m older, such as cryotherapy to aid recovery.”
Daegu and beyond
Feitor’s routine is, obviously, well rehearsed.
“Daegu has an Olympic type village set up, an ‘athlete’s village’. I’ll find a good place for training, complete the training and then let’s see what I can do. Maybe it will be one of my last international championships. So if I can repeat the performance of Berlin I’d be happy, if better that would be brilliant!”
As to the secret for such longevity at the top level, in Feitor’s case, it comes down to character.
“I think you have the word in English, ‘Stubborn!’ I’ve had some sad moments but it helps to think of the best moments. That’s what gives me motivation. To keep thinking tomorrow is going to be better than today, and always doing your best.”
As for London 2012, when she’ll be the same age as Kjersti Plätzer when she won her second Olympic silver, Feitor isn’t yet committing.
“In the Portuguese Olympic programme I’m expected to achieve from 8th to 18th place at World an Olympic level. The thing is, we have four girls all able to compete so we each have to fight for our place. I can only take things step by step.”
“I’ve had moments when I’ve wanted to stop, and find something different to do but I’d miss the joy of competition and the companionship of other athletes.”
“I’m looking forward to Daegu," she concluded. "I expect the memories I’ll experience there will always be close to my heart.”
Tim Watt for the IAAF
Susana Feitor (POR) at the IAAF World Championships:
20Km Race Walk -
1991 - Tokyo - 17th
1993 - Stuttgart - 11th
1995 - Gothenburg - 17th
1997 - Athens - 11th
1999 - Seville - 4th
2001 - Edmonton - DQ
2003 - Paris - 9th
2005 - Helsinki - 3rd
2007 - Osaka - 5th
2009 - Berlin - 10th
