Luxembourg's National Athletics Championships concluded with record-breaking performances, double titles for Fanny Arendt and Luc Dostert, and standout victories across both track and field events.
On Sunday evening, Fanny Arendt and Luc Dostert each claimed their second national titles, while Mathis Espagnet left no room for his rivals in the men’s 800m.
The third day of the National Athletics Championships at the National Sports Institute (INS) saw a standout moment when Vera Bertemes set a new national record in the women's 5,000m. Representing the Celtic Diekirch club, she crossed the finish line in 15:29.06. Kimberley Chin Fatt came in nearly a minute later with 16:29.52, just behind Linda Krombach, who clocked 16:24.07.
In the men's 5,000m, Vera's husband Bob Bertemes narrowly beat Jimmy Keiffer in a close finish, winning in 15:06.16 compared to Keiffer's 15:06.47. Third place went to James Dunn of CAL-Spora Luxembourg (CSL), who finished in 15:14.92.
Victoria Rausch delivered a strong performance in the women's 100m hurdles final, clocking 13.28 seconds despite a tough headwind. The Celtic Diekirch athlete expressed satisfaction with her result, noting that it's unrealistic to break records every weekend. Hannah Kramer finished second with a personal best of 14.54, and Zoé Hoffmann took third with 14.96.
Following her win on Saturday in the 400m, Fanny Arendt returned to the track on Sunday for the 800m. She delivered a strong time of 2:06.20 to secure a clear victory ahead of Julia Ciccone and Carole Thill. These two titles marked a fitting end to a long season for Arendt.
In the men's 800m, Mathis Espagnet dominated the field. Representing the Cercle Athlétique Schifflange (CAS), he clocked 1:51.20, nearly 10 seconds ahead of second-place Gilles Kayser (2:00.14), who edged out Maurice Gierens (2:00.84) in a close contest. Although Espagnet was disappointed with his time – having started the race feeling under the weather – he said he was pleased with his overall season, which included participation in several international events.
Just like in Saturday's 100m, Luc Dostert proved unbeatable again on Sunday, this time in the 200m. He set a new personal best of 21.95 seconds, narrowly defeating Alan Jéhanno (22.26) and Jim Kaell (22.27). In the women's race, Sophia Schaack won in 25.52 seconds, ahead of Noemi Damaso Kohl (25.74) and Sandrine Rossi (25.96).
Results of the technical disciplines
In the pole vault, Julie Poupon of France and Luxembourg's Lara Marx both cleared 3.05m. Poupon took the Luxembourg Athletics Federation (FLA) championship title, while Marx was crowned national champion. It was also Marx's best performance of the season. Among the men, Joe Seil won the event with a vault of 4.30m.
In the javelin throw, Noémie Pleimling of the Cercle Athlétique Dudelange (CAD) made an early statement, throwing 49.89m on her first attempt, an effort no one else could match. On the men's side, Max Wagner secured the title with a throw of 51.01m.
The women’s high jump featured just two competitors: Mia Bourscheid and Julie Craenen. Bourscheid claimed the title by clearing 1.69m.
In the hammer throw, Sofia Snäll of the CSL matched the Luxembourg national record with a throw of 58.08m – her personal best – winning comfortably ahead of Isabeau Pleimling (48.55m) and Nadine Kremer (47.23m). For the men, Steve Weiwert took victory with a throw of 51.22m, followed by Frenchman Olivier Caron (41.69m) and Gilles Lorang (40.89m).
Finally, in the long jump, Soraya De Sousa Moreira recorded the best performance of the season, leaping 5.59m to take the title. Hannah Back was second with 5.20m, and Nina Auxenfants third with 4.92m. In the men's competition, Nils Liefgen was the only athlete to break the 7m mark, winning with a jump of 7.07m. Louis Muller and Bob Goebel both jumped 6.75m.
