Racewalking: Poland’s Zdziebło claims silver at World Athletics Championships in Oregon

Poland’s Katarzyna Zdziebło on Friday scooped the silver medal in the women’s 20 km race walk at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, in the US state of Oregon.

Poland's Katarzyna Zdziebło poses with the silver medal she took in the 20km race walk at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, the United States, on Friday, July 15, 2022.

PAP/Adam Warżawa

The Pole crossed the line in 1:27:31, a new national record, 33 seconds behind the winner, Peru’s Kimberly Garcia Leon, news outlets reported. 

China’s Shijie Qieyang claimed bronze, finishing 25 seconds after Zdziebło.

For most of the race, Zdziebło walked in 3rd position, before overtaking Qieyang around the 17 kilometre mark to secure the silver medal. 

The 25-year-old from the southeastern city of Mielec said afterwards: “I won the medal I’ve been longing for. It’s my American dream, definitely. It came true.” 

She added: "I cannot believe it now. At this moment, I think I am the happiest woman in the world."

"I cannot believe it now. At this moment, I think I am the happiest woman in the world."

Katarzyna Zdziebło 🇵🇱 came through for a surprise silver in the 20km race walk for Europe's first medal in Oregon. 🥈 #WorldAthleticsChamps

— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) July 15, 2022

Although Zdziebło only decided to take part in the 20km event at the last minute, she has opened Poland’s medals tally at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene. She has also become the first Polish woman to win a World Championships medal in race walking. 

(pm)

Source: rmf24.pl, onet.pl, worldathletics.org