Records Fall as Virtus World Short Track Championships Conclude in Ourense
The 2026 Virtus World Short Track Championships came to an electrifying close in Ourense, Spain, with world records, dominant performances, and dramatic finals marking the final day of competition.
Athletes from across the globe delivered memorable moments on the indoor track, closing three days of competition with impressive performances across sprints, middle-distance races, relays, jumps, and combined events.
Winners from the 4x400m really. Photo Credit: FEDDI
Spain thrilled the home crowd with a spectacular world record in the men’s 4x400m relay, clocking 3:23.62 to take gold. The quartet of Deliber Rodriguez Ramirez, Martin Fernandez Novoa, Dionibel Rodriguez Rodriguez and David Jose Pineda Mejia powered to victory ahead of Portugal and France.
Spain’s David Jose Pineda Mejia had already made headlines earlier in the championships, smashing the 200m II1 world record with 21.76 seconds, highlighting the dominance of Spanish athletes on home soil.
Standout Performances of the Championships
Several athletes delivered exceptional multi-event performances throughout the championships, collecting multiple medals and showcasing remarkable consistency across disciplines.
Andrea Mattone (Italy) emerged as one of the most versatile athletes of the competition. After securing gold in the Shot Put II3 and silver in the Long Jump II3, Mattone returned on the final day to claim gold in the 400m II3, completing an impressive three-medal haul (2 gold, 1 silver) and confirming his dominance in the II3 category.
Fatma Damla Altin (Türkiye) demonstrated outstanding all-around ability. She captured gold in the Women’s Pentathlon, contributed to Türkiye’s victory in the Women’s 4x200m relay, and added a bronze medal in the High Jump II1, finishing the championships with three medals (2 gold, 1 bronze).
Aleksandar Asenov (in the middle) posing during the medal ceremony. Photo Credit: FEDDI
Aleksandar Asenov (Bulgaria) also enjoyed a remarkable championship in the II2 classification. After winning gold in the Shot Put II2 and Triathlon II2, Asenov continued his strong form on the final day by taking gold in the 60m II2, completing a standout campaign with three gold medals.
David Jose Pineda Mejia (Spain) thrilled the home crowd with record-breaking performances. He set a new world record in the 200m II1 and was part of Spain’s world-record-breaking 4x400m relay team, securing two gold medalsand cementing his place among the standout athletes of the championships.
Italy Tops the Medal Table
Italy finished the championships as the most successful nation, topping the medal standings with 17 gold medals and 25 total medals. Spain finished second with 17 medals, while Portugal secured third place with 14 medals overall.
With multiple world records, national records, and remarkable performances across all classifications, the Virtus World Short Track Championships in Ourense showcased the extraordinary talent of athletes with intellectual impairments.
As the championships conclude, athletes leave Spain not only with medals but with new records, unforgettable moments, and inspiration for the competitions ahead.
