Helsinki, Finland. GRANDIOSE JEFFERSON, GRANDIOSE 
FINLAND, 09/07/2005. A great feeling of emotion overcame all of Ecuador
thanks to the triumph of its gladiators in the World
Track and Field Championship. On this Saturday another
epic event occurred in Ecuadorian sport. The
principal actors were Rolando Saquipay and Jefferson
Pérez, two extraordinary athletes who as a team were
able to bring victory to Ecuador a second time. Jeff's
time as he crossed the finish was 1h18:35, bringing
glory to an entire nation. From the beginning the two
were in the group of leaders. By the 5th kilometer,
Fernandez of Spain had gained a small advantage of
just two seconds over the rest of the group. On
passing 10 kilometers the group once again was compact
with almost 10 race walkers out front. On reaching 15
kilometers Fernandez escaped from the group leaving
the Italian Brugnetti in second place, gaining an
advantage of one minute over the rest of the athletes.
Jeff and Rolando, however, waited for the opportune
moment to catch up with Fernandez as they had planned
before the competition. At 18 kilometers Jeff made the
decision to catch up with Fernandez, while Rolando
hoped to overtake the competitor in third-place, who
at that time was the other Spaniard, Juan Manuel
Molina. Beginning the 19th kilometer, Jeff was
determined to outdistance Fernandez and did so, first
by 50 meters, then 100, 200 and finally by 300 meters.
Meanwhile, in the last kilometer in an attempt to gain
third place, Rolando Saquipay was disqualified b |
