For safety, he threw two glances behind him, but he did not have to worry: Benjamin Robert was the first to cross the finish line in the final of the 800 meters of the French Elite championships. yesterday in Angers, after a perfect race. Stalled in traffic for most of the race, the purple Satuc bib followed Gabriel Thual when he put in his effort on the last corner, and pinned him to the track in the home stretch.
At 23, the Toulousain won his second title of champion of France, after that conquered in September 2020 in Albi. Between the two, Benjamin Robert also seized gold over 800 meters at the French indoor championships, last February. Charms that confirm the excellent form of the Toulouse half-founder, and validate all the work done for the Tokyo Olympic Games this summer (July 23 – August 8), for which he qualified at the beginning of the month. . Coming back down from Font-Romeu just a few days ago, he didn’t really know where he was going to be in Angers: the answer is positive. By winning in 1’48”46, Benjamin Robert is continuing his Olympic preparation in the best possible way, in a moment of turmoil for the French middle distance, marked by exceptional density and performance.
Around Bedrani and Courbière
This afternoon (4:25 p.m.), another athlete from Satuc qualified for Tokyo will enter the track, with Djilali Bedrani who will line up for the 3,000m steeplechase final, including Mahiedine Mekhissi, triple Olympic medalist and who is not he still has not achieved the minimums for Tokyo, will ultimately not take the start due to muscle discomfort felt yesterday.
Third and last resident of the Satuc engaged in the French championships, Nicolas Courbière will start the 400 meters final at 3:40 pm.
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