Tuscany applauds one of its new athletics stars. Sofia Fiorini, 21 years old, originally from Bibbiena (Arezzo) and registered with Atletica Libertas Unicusano Livorno, won the gold medal in the 42.195 km racewalking at the European Championships in Birmingham, on Saturday, August 15, delivering a performance that marks a turning point in the discipline.
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A race dominated from the first meter
Fiorini set her own pace from the very beginning, staying steadily in the leading group and controlling every phase of the race. The only opponent able to resist her until beyond the thirtieth kilometer was the Polish Katarzyna Zdzieblo, who was then forced to give way to the Tuscan’s acceleration. The finish came with an extraordinary time: 3h15’11, new world record, almost nine minutes faster than the previous one. A performance that turned a promise into a certainty.
A talent grown in Tuscany and matured in Milan
The racewalker from Bibbiena, who competes for Atletica Libertas Unicusano Livorno, has been coached for two years in Milan by former heel and toe specialist Alessandro Gandellini. A path that led her to explode competitively in 2026, showing steady improvement across all distances. The first sign came in April, when Fiorini won silver at the World Team Championships in Brasilia, finishing with a personal best of 3h25’42 after an exciting race, yielding only to the Ecuadorian star Paula Torres.
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The confirmation of an irresistible rise
The victory in Birmingham is the culmination of a journey that saw her improve race after race, becoming one of the most interesting figures in international racewalking. Her ability to manage the long distance, combined with a devastating final sprint, made her the absolute protagonist of the new racewalking marathon. For Tuscany, and for Livorno which supports her in sports, it is a triumph that smells of the future.
The words of the institutions
«It is with deep pride, as well as great satisfaction, that I greet the continental victory and the world record of Sofia Fiorini, Tuscan from Bibbiena, who this morning in Birmingham won the gold medal at the European Athletics Championships also improving the world record in the racewalking marathon. What she will celebrate in a few days will be a truly special birthday for her. Praise also goes to her club, Libertas Unicusano Livorno, where Sofia has perfected herself becoming one of the fastest racewalkers in the world. It can be said that this is a thoroughly Tuscan success.»
Thus expressed the President of the Tuscany Region, Eugenio Giani.
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