Marian Oprea of Romania wins the Triple Jump in Turin (© Lorenzo Sampaolo)
The main attraction at Romania's rainsoaked 90th National Athletics Championships in Bucharest on 2 and 3 July was this year's unbeaten triple jumper Marian Oprea, who claimed victory with a jump of 17.42 metres.
Oprea who leapt 17.24 on his second attempt and produced 17.40 on this third, then retired in order to avoid risking an injury in the slippery conditions.
His trainer, Doina Anton, said: “It's better that he didn't risk anymore, because trouble could happen. He came relaxed and won the contest.”
As the day (2 July) progressed, the competition's favourites were challenged only by the wet conditions.
As expected, veteran Gheorghe Guset had no problems at the Shot Put, throwing 20.28 metres to win by 3.5m.
Nicoleta Grasu won the women’s Discus Throw with an impressive 64.25m effort, while Mihaela Melinte took the women’s Hammer Throw with 69.04m and Stefan Vasilache triumphed with his 2.22m in the men’s High Jump.
On the track, Angela Morosanu stormed to a double victory, running 11.54 seconds in the women’s 100m and 52.42 in the 400m, while Corina Dumbraveanu won the 800m in 2:03.23.
Meanwhile, in the men's competition, Marian Cimpeanu took the 100m in 10.42, and Florin Suciu won the 400m in 47.12. Catalin Mihu's time of 1:49.49 was good enough to see him take the 800m title.
PA International for the IAAF
