Athletics: Portugal with one of the largest delegations ever in European Championships

The deadline for obtaining marks for the European Championships to be held between 6 and 9 March in the Netherlands ended on Sunday and now it is time to confirm attendance and draw up the final list of entrants, which will happen in the coming days, with Portugal having 11 athletes with a direct qualification mark and another eight in an entry position through the ranking.

Pedro Pichardo, champion in Istanbul2023, who decided not to participate in the "indoor" season this year, is no longer on this list. The most decorated Portuguese athlete of the moment left for a long training camp in Puerto Rico and will only return in April.

Patrícia Mamona, runner-up in the 2023 triple jump, is another major "loss" - after last year's injury and surgery, she has been on a "sabbatical year" from competition, without any competitions.

The year 2024 was also unlucky for Auriol Dongmo, with a fracture and surgery, but the shot put runner-up in Istanbul2023 returned in January and, on Sunday, threw 19.00 meters, a direct qualification mark.

Agate Sousa, a long jump specialist who also went under the knife after an injury, also made a very good recovery. She returned, still far from her usual level, but with a jump to become national champion.

On the list of athletes qualified for Apeldoorn 2025, Pichardo is not the only name to be crossed out - Francisco Belo, with a valid mark in the shot put, also did not participate in the winter season and is unavailable.

The start of 2025 has been especially good for Jessica Inchude, the shot put champion, with a personal best (19.18), who could aim to improve on her fourth place in Istanbul and reach the podium.

Also in the spotlight is the middle-distance sector, with Isaac Nader, the new national record holder in the 800 and 1,500 metres, entering as one of the favourites for the medals. His mark in the 1,500 metres is the third continental record of the year and is also the only Portuguese record that already qualifies direct entry to the World Championships in Nanjing, at the end of March.

Patrícia Silva and Salomé Afonso (1,500 metres) are at their best ever, as are Duarte Gomes and Miguel Moreira (3,000). Also with Mariana Machado (3,000), the short middle distance is at a level not seen in the last two decades.

The forecast of 19 participants places Portugal with the second largest delegation ever, only behind the 22 in Istanbul2023.

Regarding the Nanjing Indoor World Championships, whose minimum deadline is only March 9th, the forecast is much shorter - only Isaac Nader has a direct qualification mark, with six others in entry position through ranking and three more very close.

The European Short Track Championships will be held in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, from 6 to 9 March and the World Championships in Nanjing, China, from 21 to 23 March.

The deadline for obtaining marks for the European Championships to be held between 6 and 9 March in the Netherlands ended on Sunday and now it is time to confirm attendance and draw up the final list of entrants, which will happen in the coming days, with Portugal having 11 athletes with a direct qualification mark and another eight in an entry position through the ranking.

Pedro Pichardo, champion in Istanbul2023, who decided not to participate in the "indoor" season this year, is no longer on this list. The most decorated Portuguese athlete of the moment left for a long training camp in Puerto Rico and will only return in April.

Patrícia Mamona, runner-up in the 2023 triple jump, is another major "loss" - after last year's injury and surgery, she has been on a "sabbatical year" from competition, without any competitions.

The year 2024 was also unlucky for Auriol Dongmo, with a fracture and surgery, but the shot put runner-up in Istanbul2023 returned in January and, on Sunday, threw 19.00 meters, a direct qualification mark.

Agate Sousa, a long jump specialist who also went under the knife after an injury, also made a very good recovery. She returned, still far from her usual level, but with a jump to become national champion.

On the list of athletes qualified for Apeldoorn 2025, Pichardo is not the only name to be crossed out - Francisco Belo, with a valid mark in the shot put, also did not participate in the winter season and is unavailable.

The start of 2025 has been especially good for Jessica Inchude, the shot put champion, with a personal best (19.18), who could aim to improve on her fourth place in Istanbul and reach the podium.

Also in the spotlight is the middle-distance sector, with Isaac Nader, the new national record holder in the 800 and 1,500 metres, entering as one of the favourites for the medals. His mark in the 1,500 metres is the third continental record of the year and is also the only Portuguese record that already qualifies direct entry to the World Championships in Nanjing, at the end of March.

Patrícia Silva and Salomé Afonso (1,500 metres) are at their best ever, as are Duarte Gomes and Miguel Moreira (3,000). Also with Mariana Machado (3,000), the short middle distance is at a level not seen in the last two decades.

The forecast of 19 participants places Portugal with the second largest delegation ever, only behind the 22 in Istanbul2023.

Regarding the Nanjing Indoor World Championships, whose minimum deadline is only March 9th, the forecast is much shorter - only Isaac Nader has a direct qualification mark, with six others in entry position through ranking and three more very close.

The European Short Track Championships will be held in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, from 6 to 9 March and the World Championships in Nanjing, China, from 21 to 23 March.

The deadline for obtaining marks for the European Championships to be held between 6 and 9 March in the Netherlands ended on Sunday and now it is time to confirm attendance and draw up the final list of entrants, which will happen in the coming days, with Portugal having 11 athletes with a direct qualification mark and another eight in an entry position through the ranking.

Pedro Pichardo, champion in Istanbul2023, who decided not to participate in the "indoor" season this year, is no longer on this list. The most decorated Portuguese athlete of the moment left for a long training camp in Puerto Rico and will only return in April.

Patrícia Mamona, runner-up in the 2023 triple jump, is another major "loss" - after last year's injury and surgery, she has been on a "sabbatical year" from competition, without any competitions.

The year 2024 was also unlucky for Auriol Dongmo, with a fracture and surgery, but the shot put runner-up in Istanbul2023 returned in January and, on Sunday, threw 19.00 meters, a direct qualification mark.

Agate Sousa, a long jump specialist who also went under the knife after an injury, also made a very good recovery. She returned, still far from her usual level, but with a jump to become national champion.

On the list of athletes qualified for Apeldoorn 2025, Pichardo is not the only name to be crossed out - Francisco Belo, with a valid mark in the shot put, also did not participate in the winter season and is unavailable.

The start of 2025 has been especially good for Jessica Inchude, the shot put champion, with a personal best (19.18), who could aim to improve on her fourth place in Istanbul and reach the podium.

Also in the spotlight is the middle-distance sector, with Isaac Nader, the new national record holder in the 800 and 1,500 metres, entering as one of the favourites for the medals. His mark in the 1,500 metres is the third continental record of the year and is also the only Portuguese record that already qualifies direct entry to the World Championships in Nanjing, at the end of March.

Patrícia Silva and Salomé Afonso (1,500 metres) are at their best ever, as are Duarte Gomes and Miguel Moreira (3,000). Also with Mariana Machado (3,000), the short middle distance is at a level not seen in the last two decades.

The forecast of 19 participants places Portugal with the second largest delegation ever, only behind the 22 in Istanbul2023.

Regarding the Nanjing Indoor World Championships, whose minimum deadline is only March 9th, the forecast is much shorter - only Isaac Nader has a direct qualification mark, with six others in entry position through ranking and three more very close.

The European Short Track Championships will be held in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, from 6 to 9 March and the World Championships in Nanjing, China, from 21 to 23 March.