European 20km race walk bronze medallist Francesco Fortunato broke the world indoor record in the 5000m race walk at the Italian Indoor Championships in Ancona on Sunday (28).
Fortunato became the first race walker to break the 18 minute-barrier on the same track last year but his 17:55.65 clocking was not ratified for record purposes.
One year later, Fortunato eclipsed that time, stopping the clock at 17:54.48.
"After the unfortunate mishap in 2025, when the record wasn't approved due to a formality with the judges, I thought I deserved it today. I was here to try again, knowing I wasn't in the same condition, also due to a bad flu that delayed my preparation in January.
"But I didn't give up, and I want to thank myself first and foremost and my new coach Luca Zenti," said Fortunato as quoted by FIDAL.
Fortunato’s next target is the inaugural half marathon at the World Race Walking Team Championships in Brasilia on 12 April.
Reigning European champion Antonella Palmisano won the 3000m race walk in 11:56.74 ahead of Sofia Fiorini who clocked 12:12.41, breaking the long-standing Italian U23 record of 12:25.54 set by the late Annarita Sidoti in 1991.
21.80m for Fabbri in the shot put
World leader Leonardo Fabbri dominated the men's shot put on the first day of the Italian Indoor Championships on Friday (27), winning the shot put with 21.80m ahead of Nick Ponzio with 20.65m.
"I'm not entirely satisfied with today's competition. I felt a bit tired from four competitions in the last eight days. My focus is definitely on the World Indoor Championships in Torun and before leaving for Poland, I might also compete at the European Throwing Cup in Nicosia on March 14-15," said Fabbri.
Fabbri finished fourth at the 2025 edition of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing.
Photo courtesy of FIDAL / Grana