Italy’s Nadia Battocletti continued her rise on the global distance scene with a commanding run in Tokyo on Saturday (3), storming to a new European 5km record of 14:32.
It clipped seven seconds from Diane van Es’ record set in Monaco in February. Held on a warm, still evening in the Japanese capital, the Tokyo Speed Race delivered on its promise: a fast course with sweeping bends, a star-studded international field, and an electric atmosphere.
Battocletti, 25, seized the moment with a fearless start and never looked back. The Italian settled quickly into the record-pace, staying locked onto the wavelight guidance system and gliding effortlessly through the early kilometers.
With the 14:39 European record already in her sights, Battocletti pushed through the midway mark easily on target, showing both grit and poise as she held her form in the final stages.
She placed second to Kenya’s Caroline Nyaga who won in 14:19. Meanwhile in 7th, Sarah Lahti equalled Meraf Bahta’s Swedish record of 15:04 from 2021.
"It means a lot"
Having added the European 10km title in Brussels-Leuven in April to the European 10,000m and 5000m and European cross country titles - plus Olympic 10,000m silver - she won last year, Battocletti is in the shape of her life.
Afterwards, she said: “It means a lot. I’m so happy because I just broke two records, and to be here in Tokyo is really amazing I’m so excited because Tokyo made my dreams come true.”
Woldu sets French record in women's 10km
France's European bronze medallist Etienne Daguinos took a tumble in the men's 10km, scuppering any hopes of a Eruoepan record. But in the women's race, his international teammate Mekdes Woldu took 14 seconds off the national record held by Liv Westphal since 2019, setting a new best time of 31.01.
Alissa Szreter-Kelly for European Athletics