Greek Race Walker Antigoni Drisbioti Clinches Bronze at World Athletics Championships

Antigoni Drisbioti, the accomplished Greek race walker, secured the bronze medal in the 35 km walk event at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Thursday.

Drisbioti displayed her prowess by maintaining a leading position throughout the race, ultimately finishing in third place with a time of 2 hours, 43 minutes, and 22 seconds. The gold medal was claimed by Maria Perez of Spain with a time of 2 hours, 38 minutes, and 40 seconds, while the silver went to Kimberly Garcia Leon with a time of 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 52 seconds.

In the final moments of the race, Drisbioti proudly held the Greek flag as she crossed the finish line, wearing a triumphant smile.

This accomplishment adds to Drisbioti's impressive track record. In May, she secured a gold medal in the 20 km walk at the European Championships held in Prague. Earlier in February, the 39-year-old athlete achieved a national record, which automatically qualified her for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.

Over two thousand athletes representing more than two hundred countries are currently participating in the World Athletics Championships, which is the third-largest sporting event globally. The nineteenth edition of the championships is taking place from August 19th to 27th, 2023, at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest.

Antigoni Drisbioti's Illustrious Career

Drisbioti's remarkable career includes previous achievements such as her gold medals in the 20 km walk and 35 km race walk events at the 2022 European Athletics Championships. This marked Greece's first double gold win at the prestigious event.

Her victory in the 35 km race event was particularly significant as it marked both her first international triumph and her country's inaugural major championship title in race walking.

Hailing from Karditsa, Thessaly, Drisbioti grew up in a family that operates a traditional restaurant in the city. She balanced her athletic training with working at the restaurant, showcasing her strong work ethic and dedication.

She initiated her involvement in race walking during her high school years and made her international debut at the age of nineteen at the 2003 European Race Walking Cup in Cheboksary, Russia.

Throughout her journey, Drisbioti achieved milestones, including a bronze medal at the 2013 Mediterranean Games in Mersin, Turkey. Her performances in the Summer Olympics include her debut in 2016 in Rio, where she secured fifteenth place in the 20 km walk. At the rescheduled 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she achieved eighth place in the same event.

Further triumphs followed at the 2022 European Athletics Championships in Munich, where she secured gold medals in both the 35 km walk and the 20 km walk events. Notably, she became the first Greek athlete to attain two gold medals at the European Championships.

Antigoni Drisbioti's accomplishments have not only left a lasting mark on the field of racewalking but also inspire admiration for her dedication and achievements in representing Greece on the global stage.

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