Highly anticipated, the 2023 edition of the athletics meeting lived up to all its promises. Between the world record and prestigious performances, the audience thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle. Let’s zoom in on this emotionally charged evening.
With 13 disciplines and 74 athletes, the event’s organizers, returning after 22 years of absence, made sure the event was spectacular. Featuring international, national, and local athletes, the diverse lineup highlighted the enthusiasm sparked by the meeting’s comeback.
And for a comeback, what could be better than a world record! Audrey Werro set the world’s best junior mark on 1,000m on Saturday night, clocking in at 2’34″89. This was a familiar feeling for the Charles-Ehrmann stadium, which witnessed the junior men’s world record on 1,000 m back in 1999.
National and Personal Records Galore
Beyond Audrey Werro’s immense performance, the men’s 1,500 m was remarkable. Eight runners clocked under 3’35, with two national records being broken by Andrew Coscoran (3’32″68 – Irish record) and Niels Laros (3’32″89 – Dutch record). Also noteworthy were the seven Personal Bests achieved in the race.
Furthermore, the 3,000 m steeplechase cannot go unmentioned. This event was unsurprisingly dominated by Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto (8’17″16), who had to push hard in the final moments to overcome Isaac Upkide. Here too, a national record was set, with Nahuel Carabana now holding Andorra’s best mark at 8’25″98.
In the long jump, a highly competitive field saw French athlete Hilary Kpatcha winning with a leap of (6.79 m) ahead of indoor European champion Jazmin Sawyers, and Ivana Vuleta, a two-time indoor world champion!
Local Athletes Shine at Home
Margot Chevrier came very close to the meeting’s pole vault record (4.67m). The Nice native won in front of her home crowd but narrowly missed her last two attempts at 4.76m.
Camille Seri achieved her best time of the season (56″55, 400m hurdles), closely followed by Emma Montoya (57″89, 400m hurdles), Téo Andant (400m, 45″66, AS Monaco), and Lenny Brisseault (javelin, 74.13m, NCAA) who all set personal records.
“Everyone seemed satisfied, from the athletes to the audience.”
Rémy Charpentier, director of the Nikaïa meeting, stated: “It’s a good comeback, a taster that leaves us wanting more. Everyone seemed satisfied, from the athletes to the audience. We will evaluate this return, but we are pleased with what we accomplished tonight. It’s a good thing for athletics that a meeting returns to Nice, and it strengthens the sport’s presence in the Southeast with the Herculis Meeting.”
Stay tuned for more updates, coming soon on Nice Premium!
