The 26-year-old set a new Austrian indoor record in 51.73 seconds. Gold went to Femke Bol of the Netherlands, who prevailed in 49.85. Sprinter Markus Fuchs came seventh in the final over 60 m, his 6.59 seconds was a personal best. The Italian Samuele Ceccarelli became European Champion with a time of 6.48.
“Participating in the final was a big dream that I’ve fulfilled. I’m overjoyed,” said Walli. She remained 44/100 below her personal best and improved Karoline Käfer’s 44-year-old ÖLV record by 17/100. “I certainly didn’t expect the record, I’m just happy to have run well here today with the best in Europe. Now I’m enjoying the moment and I’m happy regarding the past season,” said Gogl-Walli. Coach Wolfgang Adler explained that it would have been too high to speculate on a medal. “The perfect run is rare, especially not in a final, but it was a very, very good run from Susi.”
For Fuchs “it clicked”
Fuchs also had a dream day. The Lower Austrian finished third in the preliminary heat on Saturday morning in 6.66 seconds and qualified tenth best overall for the evening session in the Ataköy Arena. In the semifinals he pushed his personal best to 6.60 seconds and was second behind Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs from Italy and eighth fastest overall.
“I can’t believe it. I had the huge goal of being in a European final,” Fuchs said following the first final of his career on a big stage. “Today was perfect, it mightn’t have gone better. I’m very proud of myself right now. Now I’m mentally ready to deliver at the high point of the season. It clicked today, now I know that I’ll continue to do so in the future can attack.”
At some point he also wants to be placed in the top 3. “If I now get the form out in a solid way, it should also go down on my special distance 100 m in terms of time.” Coach Patrick Saile explained that videos were analyzed between runs to find little things that might be improved. “A 50s time was the goal, he did it, the final is great.”
Ceccarelli left compatriot and Olympic champion Jacobs behind in the final. The 400 m went to the Norwegian Karsten Warholm (45.35 sec.).
