World Athletics Championships: it’s Marcell Jacobs and Gianmarco Tamberi’s day
In the Italian night began the second day of the World Athletics Championships, being held in Tokyo. No medals for the Azzurri, although there’s to be recorded the access to the final of the hammer throw of Italy’s Sara Fantini. Today is the time for the big boys, particularly Marcell Jacobs and Gianmarco Tamberi.
The presence of both athletes in the Italian expedition represents an element of great prestige for the national team. Tamberi, the reigning world champion in the high jump after his Budapest 2023 triumph, decided to be in Tokyo at the’last moment. Only a week ago, through a YouTube video, he announced his decision to compete despite some physical discomfort: “It is a complicated challenge but that is precisely why I am gassed”, the athlete from the Marche region had declared.
The 33-year-old high hurdler will be engaged in qualifying today. The first test of whether his dream of going for medals again is still possible. Lots of pressure on Gimbo Tamberi but also the knowledge that he can still do something extraordinary.
Same goes for Marcell Jacobs who, having won the semifinals in the 100 meters (with a not exciting time), will have to rev up the engine to make it to the finals and think about a major result that would silence all those who believe he is no longer what he used to be. The 100-meter final is scheduled for 3:20 p.m. today. The hope is that Marcell Jacobs will also be among the finalists.
