Mohamed Katir, aprendiz de El Guerrouj, en 33 días “saltó la banca” del medio fondo español
The new athletics sensation was born in Alcazarquivir (Morocco), although he has lived in Mula (Murcia) since he was five years old.
As a youth he was proclaimed champion of Spain of cross with the UCAM Atletismo Cartagena, he still did not have Spanish nationality. He got it on October 19.
In the 2020 San Silvestre he was sixth, being the second Spanish behind Raúl Celada.
On January 29, 2021, at the World Indoor Gold Tour in Karlsruhe, he achieved the best European record of the year and third best Spanish record in history with 7: 35.29 in the 3000-meter test. In that same race Bethwell Birgen achieved with 7: 34.12, the best world record of the year.
On May 23, 2021, he achieved the Olympic minimum for the Tokyo Games.
This must have motivated him because a few weeks later he broke the Spanish record of 5,000. Next, the 1,500 meter held by Fermín Cacho and the 3,000 meter one.
In just 33 days "the bank jumped" of the Spanish middle fund. Some are venturing and excited about the possibility of being the new Hicham El Guerrouj.
At the moment this possibility is very remote. Although many Spaniards and Moroccans are very excited about Katir.
Berkan-born midfielder Hicham El Guerrouj holds the current world records of 1500 meters, 2000 meters and the mile.
The Guerrouj in 1995 was proclaimed world champion of 1,500 in indoor track with 20 years. In Atlanta 96 he did not get a medal because of a fall. He won the Algerian Morceli followed by the Spanish Fermín Cacho.
At 23 years old (Katir's current age), in the year 97, that of Hicham, he was already world indoor and outdoor champion at the world championships held in Athens, Greece.
In Sydney 2000 he was a silver medalist. In Athens 2004 it was he when he was considered the best middle distance runner in history by achieving the double in 1,500 and 5,000 meters. Two gold medals. Four top-level races in five days.
This is very difficult to match or even come close to.
For now, the record of Fermín Cacho, of more than thirty years ago, has already fallen. Not in his hands, more like his gazelle legs.
At the moment the athlete himself is cautious and declares that he is a rookie and that he is in Tokyo to enjoy himself and to fight, although he does not rule out doing something great.
His progression has been meteoric and unusual in athletics to the point that former 3,000 record holder Isaac Viciosa has questioned the athlete's methods and declared that "we will see at the Beijing Games if he is really clean." . Days later he recanted.
At the moment it starts on Tuesday the 3rd. Second series of 5,000 meters at 1:16 pm. The only test in which he will participate in these games. We will be attentive to see if Kadir confirms in Tokyo the magnificent marks of him.
There have only been three athletes this year who have had a better record than Kadir. The Canadian Mohammed Ahmed, the Norwegian Jakob Ingrebigsten and the Ethiopian Hagos Gebrhiwet.
If he qualifies, the final will be on Friday 6th at 2:00 p.m.
