After 13 months without competition (his last individual 400 m dated back to May 13, 2023), the 2010 European champion took second place in his series in 46.39, only ahead of Florent Mabille (46.23). This time could earn him a place among the 4x400m relay runners for the Paris Olympic Games.
“My physiotherapist is not going to be very happy, he also advised me not to run because of my recurring Achilles tendon problemsmiles Kevin Borlée. This morning again, I wasn’t sure if I would line up. But I needed it to know what was still in my legs and to stop doubting, to know if I was going to go to Paris or not. I even had in mind that this might be my last race! Today, however, I know that there is still potential. It’s a race that gives hope. I can get 45.50-45.30 without too much trouble and if I can do that, I will be an asset to the team at the Games.”
The 36-year-old sprinter must above all ensure that he stays healthy.With my painful foot, I can’t use my usual mechanics, which is very annoying to accelerate. I have to be inside, be passive in terms of my feet and that’s why I start very slowly. But I was able to finish this 400m, it’s positive. And what I just did will give Jonathan confidence too. He’s as strong as me, if not stronger, he’s often ahead of me in training, so he can certainly do such a time too.”
Thank you Olivia, thank you mom
Only problem: Jacques Borlée, whose relations with the twins have become strained in recent weeks, must submit a selection proposal at the end of next week. However, Jonathan should only run in two weeks according to their big sister Olivia, who supervised them during a ten-day training course in Montpellier.
guillementKevin thought it might be his last race today!
“With the stress and the questions surrounding this return to school, it wasn’t easy but Kevin managed his race wellbelieves the Olympic 4x100m relay champion. Especially since he hasn’t used the spikes much in training recently and he was uncertain until the last moment. Kevin thought it might be his last! Given where he comes from and starting very slowly in the race, it’s a good first outing. This race will bring confidence and calm. You know, this last season generates a lot of emotions. I know that at the end of a career the stress is increased tenfold, there are a lot of things to manage. In Montpellier, I wasn’t there as a coach, I was in a way at their service in terms of logistics, to take times, try to calm them down, and share the experience of this end of a career which is a bit scary.”
Belgian Athletics Championships: 11 athletes and a relay virtually qualified for the Paris Olympic Games thanks to their world ranking
“Olivia helps us a lot in the sense that she is very positive, much more positive than uscontinues Kevin Borlée. If she hadn’t been there, we might have stopped already because these last few weeks really haven’t been easy. Also, our mom being there helped us a lot too, helping us to completely disconnect.”
The 400m final scheduled for this Sunday and from which Kevin Borlée will give up will be very open. It should pit Robin Vanderbemden (46.18), who said he was still uncertain at the end of the series, Florent Mabille (46.23) and Dylan Borlée (46.56). Christian Iguacel (46.76) could also skip this race.
Verherstraeten confirmed on 10.15
The other big meeting of the day was of course the men’s 100m final where Simon Verherstraeten, the man in form of the moment, equaled the second time of his career in 10.15 (+ 0.6 m/ s) as well as Patrick Stevens’ championship record.
Author of a time of 10.31 in the series with unfavorable wind (-1.6), the Campinois beat his training partner Kobe Vleminckx (10.25), unfortunately too far away at 7 to have a real mano a mano, and Jordan Paquot (10.35), who finished on the heels of South African Rivaldo Roberts (10.31) and ahead of Antoine Snyders (10.39) and Ibrahim Camara (10.46).
guillementI was afraid of running in 10.40 and disappointing everyone!
“It’s a great confirmation after a dream week! lance Simon Verherstraeten. There was a bit less wind here than in Switzerland, so it’s great. I’m very happy! I was afraid of running in 10.40 and disappointing everyone (laughs). No, this week, training was still quite hard, I feel a bit tired. I think this time bodes well for my next meetings. In Hengelo, I’m on a waiting list but there’s still La Chaux and Lucerne, where I hope to still achieve good times and show consistency.”
The 200m series also gave good results for Kobe Vleminckx (20.67/+ 0.1), Simon Verherstraeten (20.74/+ 0.4) and Antoine Snyders (20.86) who all beat their personal best and thus redraw the Belgian top 20 all-time, on the eve of a final in which Jonathan Sacoor (20.94) should also take part.
Record for Nkansa
A record is also what allowed Delphine Nkansa to win a second consecutive national title in the 100m. The 22-year-old sprinter improved by a hundredth and won, in 11.20 (+ 0.3) ahead of Rani Rosius (11.23) and Marine Jehaes (11.44), doubly rewarded with a new record for her too.
Among the other satisfactions of the day, we must point out again the name of Naomi Van den Broeck, who improved her personal record in the 400 m hurdles (from 55.40 to 55.00). This Sunday, in the final of the event, she will attack the Olympic minimum of 54.85 one last time and could well interfere in the race for the national title alongside Hanne Claes (55.49) and Paulien Couckuyt (55.51).
In the 5000m, Robin Hendrix (13.28.33) and Lisa Rooms (15.28.48) won but their times may not be enough to qualify for the Olympic Games via their ranking.
Boumkwo surprise
Finally, the other first finals of the Belgian championships were won by Ben Broeders (5.65m) and Elien Vekemans (4.20m) in the pole vault, by David Boda (15.06m) in the triple jump, by Andreas De Lathauwer (18.45m) and Elena Defrère (16.08m) in the shot put, where she surprised Jolien Boumkwo (15.79m), by Philip Milanov (62.09m) in the discus, and finally by Rémi Malengraux (62.52m) in the hammer.
