Kim Gevaert (BEL) in action in the women's 100m (© Getty Images)
The track in the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels seems to have an ideal bend for 200m racing, a fact that was once more proved to be the case at the national championships in Belgium. Kim Gevaert, who finished 6th on the distance at the Oympic Games in Athens, showed impressive form as she stormed through the finish in a season’s best of 22.68.
The 22 year old Kristof Beyens was hardly less convincing as he smashed his personal best by more than two tenths of a second. With 20.45 he obtained a well deserved spot in the Belgian team for the World Championships in Helsinki.
Beyens is developing into a top European sprinter
Kristof Beyens old personal best of 20.80 dated back from 2002 when he was still a junior, showing his huge potential on the distance. Over the next years, the youngster from Herentals suffered a lot from injuries and resumed regular training only last summer.
Beyens combines sheer power with a fluid technique and that explains his big progress on the event. In Hengelo, earlier this summer he brought his PB down to 20.68 and now he has shaved another two tenths off that mark.
“I only expected to prove good form today, as I’m preparing for the European U23 Championships in Erfurt next week. It was my aim to achieve a medal in Erfurt and what happened today doesn’t change that. Of course, this is a boost for confidence, but the opposition will be very tough in Germany.”
Gevaert reigns supreme
Kim Gevaert is the leading lady of Belgian athletics. She was very impressive when she crossed the finish in 22.68 after she had won the 100m earlier on in 11.24. “I have uan personal bests on many occasions on this track, it is always inspiring to get in the starting blocks here. On the other hand it is not easy to find competitive 200m races on the European circuit these days. The meetings in Madrid and in Heusden-Zolder will finish my preparation for the World Championships. Today I was very happy with the way my 200m went and the result is more than satisfying as I ran into a slight headwind.”
Van Branteghem back in 400m contention
The national 400m record holder (45.02 in 2003) underwent knee surgery in December 2004. Recovery went fine and Van Branteghem is gradually improving on his form. Pushed along in the first part of the race by 21 years old Nils Duerinck, Cedric remained strong in the home straight and finished in 45.59, only a few hundreds off the qualifying mark for Helsinki.
“I’m focusing on the European championships in Göteborg next year. I’m already happy with what I’ve achieved so far this year, struggling back from injuries. Of course I still hope to improve over the next weeks and to participate in Helsinki.”
Two other Belgian athletes had surgery in March of this year. Tia Hellebaut, who suffered from a calf strain, showed rising form in the High Jump with a clearance of 1.90m. Sigrid Vanden Bempt is back into steeplechasing after serious knee problems and won the women’s national title last Wednesday in 10:01.49. In the Pole Vault Irena Dufour equalled her national record of 4.20m.
Only 5 Belgian individual athletes qualified for World Chamionships so far
Gevaert, Hellebaut and Beyens will be accompanied in Helsinki by 1500m runner Joeri Jansen and 800m runner Sandra Stals. Amongst those still to achieve the qualifying marks are pole vaulter Kevin Rans, discus thrower Jo Van Daele and middle distance runners Veerle Dejaeghere, Tom Omey and Tim Clerbout. Also close to the team are Decathlete Frederic Xhonneux and Steeplechaser Krijn Van Koolwijk.
In the team is Elodie Ouedraogo, the close friend and training partner of Kim Gevaert and a strongholder of the succesful women’s sprint relay team. The talented sprinter who was born in Burkina Faso hopes to qualify for both the individual 100m and 200m races.
Belgian athletics can also be delighted with many young talents who will be chasing medals and spots in finals on the European Under 23 and Under 20 championships later this month.
Ivo Hendrix for the IAAF
Selected results
Men
100m (+1,1m): 1. Ferro 10.50.
200m (-0,2m): 1. Beyens 20.45.
400m: 1. Van Branteghem 45.59 2. Duerinck 46.51.
800m: 1. Vanchaze 1:47.77, 2. Omey 1:47.83, 3. Rogge 1:47.96.
110H (-0,8m): 1. N’Senga 13.87.
400H: 1. Deveughele 50.70.
Long Jump: 1. Messiaen 7.57m.
High Jump: 1. Stroobants 2.11m.
Pole Vault: 1. Kevin Rans 5.40m.
Shot Put: Blondeel 18.35m.
Discus Throw: 1. Van Daele 59.97m.
Women
100m (+0,1m): 1. Gevaert 11.24, 2. Ouedraogo 11.61.
200m (-1,2m): 1. Gevaert 22.68, 2. Ouedraogo 23.22.
400m: 1. Stals 53.30 2. Baggerman 53.82.
800m: 1. Major 2:04.25.
1500m: 1. Dejaeghere 4:14.40.
5000m: 1. De Vos 16:22.25..
100H (+0,1m): 1. Davin 13.82.
400H: 1. Mortier 58.94.
3000 SC: 1. Vanden Bempt 10:01.49.
Long Jump: 1. Vande steene 6.18m.
Triple Jump: 1. Vande steene 13.08m.
High Jump: 1. Hellebaut 1.90m, 2. De Leeuw 1.81m.
Pole Vault: 1. Dufour 4.20m.
Shot Put: 1. Blondeel 15.74m.
Discus Throw: 1. Blondeel 54.22m.
