By Şevket F. ERBAY
When the home crowd was enjoying Samuel Chapple's sweet victory in the 800 metres, and the gigantic Romanian was about to throw his last one at the shot put sector. He had already secured the gold by his first throw, measured as 21.08m, but he had the last one to celebrate. And he went on a new Romanian indoor record with 21.27 - just two centimetres short of the absolute national mark!
The 27-year-old Andrei Rareş Toader from Ramnicu Valcea has claimed Romania's first male European Indoor title since 1973 when Carol Corbu took the triple jump crown in Rotterdam. He became an instant hero in the country's struggling athletics scene and the national media welcomed him alongside triple jump silver medallist Diana Ion at the Bucharest Airport. He presented his medal to his mom as the journalist surrounding the Romanian delegation.
"I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who supported me throughout this journey. Your encouragement, belief, and unwavering support played a huge part in this achievement. Winning this gold medal is not just my victory but a reflection of the strength and dedication of everyone around me", he expressed on social media by pointing to his believers.
TOUGH TIMES
He is right because he was handed a doping ban during his final junior year and entered turbulent times. He lost his World Junior title and then spent mentally tough years before he started again to climb.
Coached by Nicoleta Grasu, a Romanian discus legend who has four World medals, Rareş reached a prominent level before Tokyo Olympics. He broke the Romanian record in the summer of 2021 by throwing 21.29 metres in Brno meet but not getting the final at the silent Olympic Stadium the following month. However, it was just the beginning of the Herculian thrower.
Andrei Toader secured three Balkan outdoor titles starting from 2020 and added an indoor title recently to his tally. Since Tokyo Olympics, he has transformed into the best putter in the Balkans, ahead of Armin Sinancevic, Mesud Pezer and retiring giant Asmir Kolasinac.
CONSISTENCY WORKS
Andrei Toader arrived in Apeldoorn very much ready to take the big title. He powered to consistent performance - six out of his nine throws in the full contest went beyond 20.50 metres - and proved his ability to achieve. Once Andrei realized his historic victory, he celebrated his title like a giant style. Modest and cool.
He is the Hercules on the moon from the Balkan Nation. An emerging one.
CURIOUS STAT: 3 out of 26
Romania has 26 European Indoor titles, including pre-1970 events. However male athletes only have three of them.
