CORCHETE Luis Manuel

General
WIFE INSPIRATION
He dedicated achieving the 50km race walk qualifying time for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo to his wife Jennifer Colino. She has represented Spain in rhythmic gymnastics at three world championships in 2005, 2003 and 2001 but injury prevented her from competing at an Olympic Games. He admitted he was surprised to record a time of 3:49:19 as he finished second at the 2021 Spanish national championships in Seville, Spain. In doing so, he lowered his personal best by 10 minutes and achieved the Olympic qualifying standard of 3:50:00. He is hoping to compete at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo at age 37 having never previously competed at an Olympic Games, world championships or European championships. "I did it for both of us [himself and Colino]. At the 45 kilometre mark, she screamed at me from point-blank range, 'Our Olympic dream is alive, we have to go for it'. Those words will never be forgotten in my life and she is always there accompanying me, giving me water and encouraging me to train. I have to say that before the race I did not expect to get the qualifying standard but the pandemic, which has caused so much pain, has been good for me. I bought a treadmill and began to take care of myself as never before and knew that the Games being postponed was a new opportunity for me." (runnersworld.com, 18 Feb 2021; lasprovincias.es, 01 Mar 2021)