Candelier bags double gold at cross-country Worlds

Marion Candelier put on an impressive show for hosts France at the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Cross-Country Championships in Epernay on 8 and 10 December, sweeping the board in women’s events.

In the short distance on Friday Candelier was dominant despite freezing temperatures, crossing the line in 7:53.15. The Czech Republic’s silver medallist Katerina Husakova (8:22.44) could not match the Frenchwoman over 2km. South Africa’s Bonang Modise (8:28.86) was third.

Making the most of the 24 hour break, Candelier then tackled the long distance 5km course on Sunday.

Improving on her silver medal from 2014 she finished in 21:53. Smangele Tembe (25:21) claimed another medal for South Africa in second. Husakova (26:23) stepped onto the podium again in third.

Portugal’s Cristiano Pereira also doubled-up in the men’s, taking his first gold on the 4km course on Friday.

Pereira (12:31.09) was in the sights of France’s Rashid Boutasghount (13:02.80) but just nudged the host’s favourite into second.

Defending champion Daniel Pek (13:17.96) was pushed into third for Poland.

France took some consolation by winning the team event, courtesy of a combined performance from Boutasghount, Renaud Brelik and Quentin Foratier.

Pereira, Jose Azevedo and Paulo Benevente joined forces to seal silver for Portugal. The South African trio of Fathuwani Mushiana, Kamogelo Moncho and Reggie Segobaetso completed the podium.

The same result in the short distance was then repeated on the 8km course.

Pereira (30:12) impressed once again to finish ahead of Boutasghount (30:28) in second. Pek (32:06) rounded-off the podium but lost his world title.

The men’s team gold went to France, followed by Portugal and South Africa.

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World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

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