L'Hospitalet brings the best out of Sara Barrio

London 2017 Worlds medallist returns to action with new personal best at Spain's most traditional Para athletics meeting 02 Nov 2020

Two women with prosthetic legs sitting on starting blocks on a red athletics track with two other women standing in front of them

Sara Andres Barrio competed in the women's 100m, 200m and long jump at the 2020 L'Hospitalet International Meeting

ⒸTeo Tovar

By L'Hospitalet 2020 and World Para Athletics

Despite the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the L'Hospitalet International Meeting went ahead on Saturday (31 October) in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain, with a familiar face making the headlines.

Last year, the same competition saw Sara Andres Barrio break the women’s long jump T62 world record. This time, the London 2017 Worlds medallist set a new personal best and a new national record for the same event (4.89 metros).

“I am happy, the sensations have been very good, although I am a little angry because I would have liked to reach 5 metres,” Barrio told dxtadaptado in Spain.

“The important thing is that I have improved a lot from last year to this one, at the World Championship in Dubai I jumped 4.64 and now 4.89. My goal is to pass the 5 metre-barrier. I know I'm going to achieve it, and that would help me to fight with the best in the world to get a medal [in Tokyo],” she added.

Sara Martinez (5.22) won the women’s long jump as the events combined athletes from different classes.

Barrio also won the women’s 100m (14.25) and finished second in the women’s 200m, behind Doha 2015 Worlds bronze medallist Lia Beel Quintana (28.66).

The L’Hospitalet Meeting was carried out with maximum safety measures following the strict protocol agreed with the authorities due to the pandemic.

Despite the fact that this year’s international participation has been greatly compromised due to the different quarantine policies of each country, Spain’s best athletes were in action.

Dubai 2019 silver medallist in the men’s 5000m T13, Yassine Ouhdadi took gold in the same race on Saturday (14:54.28). Another representative of the local Hospitalet Atletisme, Mari Carmen Paredes dominated the women’s 1500m (5:47.55).

Double victory for Joan Munar in the men’s 100 (11.52) and 200 metres (23.10), while José Manuel Quintero won the 400m wheelchair race. Beijing 2008 bronze medallist Javier Porras triumphed in the men’s long jump (5.95).

Dionibel Rodriguez finished first in the women’s 400m ambulant race (51.04). Carmen Gimenez won the women’s 400m (1:34.54) and 800m (3:19.61) wheelchair events.

More information and complete results can be found on the L’Hopsitalet International Meeting website.