02/05/2008 Perez cruise to solid wins in Sesto San Giovanni – IAAF Race Walking Challenge.

Reigning World champion Jefferson Perez from Equador and 2000 Olympic silver medallist Kjersti Plätzer clinched solid wins at the 51st edition of the Coppa Città di Sesto San Giovanni - IAAF Race Walking Challenge - on a very warm day. Perez, former Olympic champion in Atlanta 1996 and a three-time World champion in the 20 km race, beat local hero Ivano Brugnetti from Italy, who is the reigning 20 km Olympic champion. Perez clocked his seasonal best (1:20:31 to Brugnetti’s 1:20:51). Last year’s winner Erik Tysse finished third in 1:21:40.

11/05/2008 Fernandez successfully bolts for home at the 23rd IAAF World Race Walking Cup on Cheboksary 2008.

After faltering at the World Championships in Osaka last year, the Spaniard appropriately took the bull by the horns to reclaim the 20km crown he won in La Coruna, Spain, two years ago. With only a kilometre left it was still a two-man race with Valeriy Borchin contesting the $30,000 first prize. Just before that, the Russian had put in a desperate spurt to shake off his shadow, only to find Fernandez had a shot left in his locker. The five metres carved out by Borchin slowly became four, three, and then nothing, as the Spaniard drew alongside.