The only Antwerp laureate at the Sportgala still played football at KFCO Wilrijk 10 years ago – Antwerps Persbureau
ANTWERP – Hardly any surprises at the Sports Gala of the Year in Kinepolis Antwerp, where the best athletes of 2022 were honored. Remco Evenepoel became sportsman of the year (best Antwerp resident was Wout Van Aert from Herentals in second place), Nafi Thiam became sportswoman (Lotte Kopecky – born in Rumst – came second), cyclist Cian Uijtdebroek became best prospect (no Antwerp residents in the top ten ), Roger Lespagnard was best coach (Jorik Hendrickx from Arendonk was fifth) and Michèle George was best Paralympian (Laurens Devos from Malle was third).
And yet there was a laureate from Antwerp. He was part of the team of the year, the Belgian Tornados. Christian Iguacel (26, left in the photo) from Wilrijk – he lives right in the center -, affiliated with Lyra, and has been a permanent ‘reserve’ in Jacques Borlée’s relay team for some time.
Iguacel: ‘I started as a footballer when I could barely walk and I rolled into athletics at the age of sixteen and this anniversary the matches got longer and the field bigger. That’s how I started a long distance. At first I took part in street running. I started as a football player at Aartselaar. Afterwards I went to KFCO Wilrijk. in the end the choice for athletics was the right one because the successes we met lose the team and are very nice.’
‘When I was sixteen, only one thing mattered: athletics. I found it more beautiful and more fun to achieve something individually than to continue in a team sport. It has paid off quite a lot. Ten years later, we meet at the international top with the athletics team.’
‘There are eight athletes who are eligible for a selection. in the end, the coach decides who is allowed to perform and who is not. I just have to make sure I run as fast as possible to help the team. In the end I conclude that I will become a great value. Whether I am already: I leave that to the others to judge. I can only do my very best and then we’ll see where the ship strands.’
“I was present at the World Cup in Eugene and I was also fit for the World Relays. I have to miss the European Championship because there are only six fighters for Belgium. in the end, one game was determined. There I was a little slower than the rest. I suppose I’ll be at the novice indoor and outdoor championships again this year. I assume that a comprehensive selection will be sent again, also with the mixed relays. That increases my chances.’
“It’s great to be part of that team. The Borlee’s have been at the top of the world for years and share their experience with the younger participants like me. We can take what we learn from them into the future. I think our youthfulness and our eagerness help to give the team such a strong foundation.’
‘Indoor I will mainly score at the European Championships in Istanbul at the beginning of March, both individually and with the team. In the summer we have a World Cup in Budapest where we met the relay teams aiming for a medal, both with the mixed relay and with the men’s team. I will try to qualify individually, but I will need points for that.’
Edwin MARIEN