Final weight mark the first day of the European Indoor Championships

The qualifying phase takes place this morning, starting at 11:30 am, with 18 athletes.

The final of the weightlifting marks the first day of the European indoor track athletics, with the possible Portuguese presence of Tsanko Arnaudov and Francisco Belo, if they exceed, hours before, the difficult qualification.

The qualifying phase takes place in the morning, starting at 11:30 am, with 18 athletes, including Arnaudov (20.21 meters, this season) and Belo (20.90 meters), and all will try to reach the 20, 90 meters (direct access mark to the final) or stay in the top eight.

A challenge that Arnaudov, fourth-placed last year, wants to overcome.

“It will be a difficult qualification for all, although I believe there will be more players in the competition,” said the athlete.

The day follows with the qualification of women’s triple-jump, with Patrícia Mamona, runner-up European (14.44 meters as best this year), and Susana Costa (14.13 m).

To reach the final, scheduled for Sunday, it takes 14.20 meters (direct access to the final) or a place in the top eight.

Before, on the track, the 1,500-meter semi-finals are held, with Emanuel Rolim (3.43,38 minutes) in the second series and Paulo Rosario (3.43,37 m) in the third. The first two of each semi-final and the three best records among the rest are cleared.

To close the morning session, Cátia Azevedo (53.53 seconds, as best this year) will be in the sixth of the seven qualifiers of the 400 meters, needing to be one of the first two or to have one of the two best times among those not cleared directly to move on to the semi-finals at 20:36.

The afternoon session is part of the qualification of the men’s triple jump, where Nelson Évora, the European champion in the last two editions, will be competing in Prague (2015) and Belgrade (2017).

The Portuguese, who has 16.77 meters as best this year, will have to jump 16,70 m to gain direct access to the final or stay in the top eight.