Andrew Howe Besozzi (ITA) in action in Debrecen 2001 (© Getty Images)
When the 10th IAAF World Junior Championships open in Grosseto, Italy next 13 July the host country will be counting on the talent of its most promising junior athletes to make it a successful edition in terms of medal winning performance.
The undisputed leader of the Italian delegation will be Andrew Howe-Besozzi who confirmed his incredible natural talent when winning the Long Jump final at last weekend’s National Junior Championships in his home town Rieti.
With his last attempt, Howe-Besozzi jumped an excellent 8.04m which improves the Italian Junior record and also stands at the top of the 2004 Italian senior’s lists.
The 19-year-old athlete’s performance is proof that he will be the one to beat in Grosseto but it is the way this record was set which was most surprising.
After a series of jumps which included a first round effort 7.87m and two fouls, Howe-Besozzi powered through the runway and took full advantage of the 1.4 tail wind to sail through the air. However when he landed in the sand pit, he ingeniously took one step backwards before exiting the pit.
“I didn’t realise just how much I lost with that move,” he said after the competition. “Still I am very pleased with my performance.”
According to the judges Howe-Besozzi’s jump was “probably 20 centimetres longer”. Still, the national junior title and record must have strengthen the confidence of the Los-Angeles born young athlete who will try and improve on his bronze medal at the 2001 World Youth Championships in Grosseto.
The following day, Howe-Besozzi won the 200m in 21.17. He still hasn’t decided whether he will compete in both events at the World Junior Championships.
On the women’s side, Italy’s hopes will be carried by hammer thrower Laura Gibilisco who improved her own national junior record to 62.66m. The 18-year-old Sicilian was an excellent fourth at last year’s World Youth Championships in Sherbrooke.
The full Italian team for Grosseto will be announced next week and a detailed report will be published shortly afterwards.
Fidal for the IAAF
