Written by Athleticspodium staff
The regional indoor athletics capital, Cochabamba, has hosted the 5th South American Indoors over the weekend, with 155 athletes from 14 nations in attendance. The events mainly contested at average levels compared with other continents; however, all sprint races produced championship-best marks in a high-altitude facility. The record-breakers freshen up their hopes before the World Indoors in three weeks' time.
Brazilian Ana Azevedo dipped her own CR under 7.10 from last year and set a new indoor-best for the continent with 7.09 secs. Azevedo clocked 7.05 two weeks ago in outdoor 60 metres - it’s officially the 60 metres record by the all environments according to WA rules. Her compatriot Gabriel Dos Santos tasted his first international success in the 60 metres men’s final, and he stormed to a 6.56 victory over Venezuelan Bryan Alamo to break the new championship record.
Ecuador’s high hurdler Marcos Herrera brought his second gold to his nation at the South American Indoor history as he established CR in the 60H final. Herrera defeated two strong Brazilian rivals, Rafael Pereira and Eduardo Rodrigues, both former champions in this event, with a stellar 7.57 run.
Colombian high jumper Maria Fernanda Murillo sailed to another continental victory in Cochabamba. The 27-year-old from Turbo made a good impression in the 60m hurdles and took the victory by 8.01 secs - 0.08 shaved off the previous mark owned by Ketiley Batista of Brazil. Murillo now has four continental titles across all events, most in the high jump.
Brazilian Alexsander Melo regained the long jump title after six years. Melo edged past two-time defending champion Arnovis Dalmero of Colombia by a single centimetre and claimed his fourth South American Indoor victory in his career.
On the other hand, Colombian star Natalia Linares retained her long jump title with a 6.73 m effort, which was only 2 centimetres better than the heptathlete Valeria Araujo’s 6.71m.
Chile’s Ivana Gallardo threw 18 metres (18.02) in shot put to extend her winning streak to three, the same as multi-eventer Jose Ferreira and high jumper Thiago Moura did.
And finally, Brazilian hurdler Mateus Lima inaugurated the championships in style as he clocked 45.85 in his race. Lima progressed half a second of the championship record and won an impressive gap (1.13 seconds) over Thiago Lemes.
