Yasemin Can Defends European XC Championships Title in Samorin
Turkey's Yasemin Can successfully defended her European Cross Country Tittle on Sunday, October 10 in Samorin, Slovakia.
Can, who will celebrate her 21 birthday tomorrow, became the second women in European Cross country championships history to retain the title. The Turkish athlete broke the tape in the women's 8km race in 26:48 to finish almost 100m ahead of Sweden's Meraf Bahata, who held of Norway's Bjerkeli Grovdal for the silver.
"It was not easy race as it is very windy and cold here. The wind was pushing me back. However, I like to keep in my own rythm - to slow down and speed up whenever I want, so I did not mind I had to to run on my own. I kept pushing till the end and I enjoyed my run very much. Tomorrow I will have my 21st birthday so I am happy I gave myself this gold medal present." Can told reporters after the race.
Great Britain & NI won the women's senior team title with Romanian squad finishing in second and Turkey in third.
And we're off!
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) December 10, 2017
A mad dash in the start of the senior women's race at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships. pic.twitter.com/M1hrxwbWJv
Turkey's Yasemin Can becomes just the second woman in history to defend her senior title at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships.
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) December 10, 2017
Great race for silver with Sweden's Meraf Bahta outsprinting Norway's Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal. pic.twitter.com/DR5t6h5y3F
Confirmation of the results in the senior women's race at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships with Turkey's Yasemin Can defending her title. pic.twitter.com/FYsie5yRey
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) December 10, 2017
