“It was a wonderful race”. First place for the Dutch Jetze Plat, who repeats the triumph of five years ago
ROME. Nineteenth medal for Italy at the Tokyo Paralympics, the third since the triathlon: at 50 years old the Sassari Giovanni Achenza won bronze in the ptwc category today, 29th august. The race was won by the Dutch Jetze Plat, who repeats the triumph of five years ago. Silver medal for the Austrian Florian Brungraber. Pier Alberto Buccoliero at the Paralympic debut hits the ninth place.
“It was a wonderful race – commented Achenza -. I felt ready right from the first leg. I had an excellent swim, a good change and I left for the cycling leg. Also in this phase I felt very good: I was in the lead. several kilometers; Plat returned rather late than usual and this aspect made me think that it could really be the right day. Upon entering T2 I noticed that Brungraber was far away: I admit that at that juncture I dreamed of silver. Halfway through the third fraction, my glove got wet – says Achenza -: I didn’t have the right grip for the thrust and I lost my rhythm, but on the last lap, also thanks to the support and the warm cheering of all the blue staff, I recovered, flying right over the finish line to collect a wonderful bronze medal “. (Handle).