Madrid Indoor thrills: Attaoui attacks world record, breaks European mark as world leads fall
Records, world leads and a roaring home crowd combined for an electric night of athletics at the World Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Madrid, where Spain’s middle-distance star Mohamed Attaoui came within striking distance of the world record while smashing the European indoor 1000m mark with 2:14.52. Fellow Spaniard Enrique Llopis added another national highlight with a 7.45 Spanish record in the 60m hurdles, as multiple world leads and personal bests fell throughout the evening at the Centro Deportivo Municipal Gallur, confirming Madrid once again as one of the fastest and most atmospheric stops on the indoor circuit.
Men’s 1000 metres
Attaoui delivered the performance of the night, storming to victory in 2:14.52 to break the long-standing European indoor record of 2:14.96 set by Wilson Kipketer in 2000. Racing boldly from the front in front of his home crowd, the Spanish star also set a national record and came close to the world mark.
Spain swept the podium as world indoor champion Mariano García finished second in 2:16.40, while Adrián Ben completed the top three in 2:16.80.
Mohamed Attaoui:
“I came in really hungry for the world record, and racing at home is just incredible. I came very close, but I still broke the European and Spanish records, so I’m really happy — and I know I’m capable of much more.”
Men’s 60m hurdles final
Llopis thrilled the home fans again, clocking a lifetime best 7.45 to shave three hundredths off his own Spanish record.
Italy’s European outdoor champion Lorenzo Simonelli finished second in a seasonal best 7.50, edging Jamal Britt (USA, 7.51) and Wilhelm Belocian (FRA, 7.54). Spain’s Asier Martínez placed fifth in 7.66.
Enrique Llopis:
“We knew we were ready for this time. The crowd here literally makes you fly — it feels like you’re not even running, they carry you to the finish.”
Men’s 60m hurdles heats
Llopis opened his campaign with 7.49 in the heats. Britt (7.55) and Simonelli (7.59 SB) advanced from the same race.
Belocian won the second heat in 7.51 ahead of Elie Bacari (7.53) and Louis Rollins (7.64).
Women’s 60m hurdles
France’s Laeticia Bapté edged USA’s Alaysha Johnson in a dramatic final, both timed at 7.90, with Bapté taking victory on thousandths. Estonia’s Kreete Verlin placed third in 7.96 PB, ahead of Lotta Harala (7.99) and Giada Carmassi (8.00).
Men’s shot put
American Jordan Geist matched his world lead with 22.04m to secure back-to-back wins on the tour.
Rajindra Campbell (JAM) threw 21.94m SB for second, while Roger Steen (USA) was third with 21.88m.
Women’s 1500 metres
Ethiopia’s Birke Haylom continued her impressive indoor campaign with victory in 4:02.37.
Italy’s Nadia Battocletti ran a national record-equalling 4:03.59 PB for second, while Saron Berhe (ETH) took third in 4:04.39. Ludovica Cavalli improved her PB to 4:06.38 in fourth.
Men’s 60 metres
Oman’s Ali Al Balushi won the final in 6.53, just three hundredths shy of his national record.
Yenns Reynold Fernández (CUB) clocked 6.56 SB for second and Eugene Amo-Dadzie (GBR) set a 6.59 PB for third.
Women’s 800 metres
Switzerland’s Audrey Werro claimed the A race in 2:00.68, narrowly ahead of Nigist Getachew (ETH, 2:00.76).
In the B race, Spain’s Rocío Arroyo dipped under two minutes with a 1:59.97 PB, leading a strong domestic showing.
Women’s long jump
Portugal’s Agate De Sousa produced the top field performance of the night, soaring to a world lead of 6.97m in the fourth round.
Spain’s Irati Mitxelena set a 6.70m PB for second, while Khaddi Sagnia (SWE) placed third with 6.67m SB.
Women’s high jump
USA’s Charity Hufnagel cleared a lifetime best 1.96m to win the competition. Maria Zodzik (POL) was second with 1.94m SB, while Solène Gicquel (FRA) took third on countback at 1.88m.
Women’s 400 metres
European indoor champion Lieke Klaver (NED) dominated the A race in 51.26. Spain’s Blanca Hervás finished second in 51.59 SB, while Mercy Oketch (KEN) ran a 52.25 PB.
Portugal’s Sofia Lavreshina won the B race in 52.07 PB.
Men’s 3000 metres
South Africa’s Tshepo Tshite controlled the pace to win in 7:39.11. Uruguay’s Valentín Soca followed in 7:39.91, with Ethiopia’s Getnet Wale close behind in 7:39.98.
