Sportsman of note 10, student of note 10. Who is Stefan Uță, the 17 -year -old athlete who beat Europe's record
After a long period in which Romanian athletics came out of several sporadic medals, the discipline that brought us so many successes is about to have a new star. At 17, Stefan Uţă is announced to be a phenomenon, improving his time made from month to month. The athlete became a European champion on Saturday at 400 meters fences, in the category under 20 years, breaking a record of the two decades old competition.
Ștefania Uță, amazed by the successful time at Tampere. European Athletics photo
The young woman has set the best time in history in this age category, 55.55 seconds, the all-time record belonging to Ionela Tîrlea, 55.21 seconds. Thus, Ştefania Uţă shows that she has all the qualities to follow the famous runner who brought countless medals in Romania in the 400 m fences, including two European titles (1998 and 2002) and an Olympic silver (2004). As a coincidence, both are conjudes, the kid living in Râmnicu Vâlcea, while Ionela Tîrlea is from Horezu, from 50 kilometers away.
Happy for the medal but especially for the time obtained
At the Europeans from Tampere (Finland), Stefania was the protagonist of a rare drama race. She was in the second place when she entered a straight line, a few meters behind the French Tumba. The Romanian recovered incredibly, crossing the first finish line and conquering the gold medal, at a hundred in front of his opponent.
Ștefi, at the Romanian Sport Gala 2024. Photo Facebook
The athlete was glad as a child after victory, and when he was quiet, he confessed that he is in the 9th heaven for the successful time, this being much more important than the medal itself. “I didn't expect to run so quickly, because this season was a bit difficult for me. But I'm very proud of myself and glad I did.said the future star of Romanian athletics for the European Athletics.
The best in the world in his age category
But let's see who this athlete is, what seems like a man's hand, but who, in five years, since he first stepped on a runway, became the best young woman in Europe in 400 m. The year 2023 was an exceptional one for Ștefania Uță, who, at just 15 years old, became a national senior champion at 400 meters fences.
A year later, at the European Under 20 Championship in Jerusalem, he won the gold medal, confirming his elite athlete status. His performances did not stop here. At the Balkan of seniors in Istanbul, last year, Valceanca climbed to the highest podium to 400 meters flat, with a time of 54.6 seconds. This victory came just a few days after winning the Under 20 competition, strengthening its leading position in its sport.
Taken from swimming, taken to athletics
“Stefania makes one of the hardest tests in athletics, the 400 meters fence. And it is very difficult, believe me. Now you can run and be the best in the world, and over a week, run and not leave any national champion. It is enough for a small inattention. He knows what he wants.Alina describes her student, whom she took from swimming and turned to athletics.
Nominated to Laureus awards
“It is the exemplary model of athlete in general. When I saw what it looks like, I asked her mother to bring her to see if she stumbles when she was running, that was something like that, like Olive from 'Popeye the sailor'. Our road began ”said the coach Alina Enescu, for Agerpres.
Stefi's big dream is to reach the Olympic Games over three years from Los Angeles, after last year missed participating in Paris due to a serious injury that kept it from competitions for a long time. Last year, she was nominated for the Laureus Prize, for the title of the best debut of 2024, a distinction won by Lamine Yamal, the footballer from FC Barcelona.
2 medals obtained Romania has the European U20 from Tampere, the gold obtained by Alexandra Ştefania Uţă at 400 m fences and the silver conquered by Daria Vrînceanu at Triplusalt.
Hi at sports, good and teaching
In addition to his successful sports career, Stefania is also an exemplary student. He finished the eighth grade with the general average 9.92 and is now studying at the Energy College in Râmnicu Vâlcea, ending the 9th grade with 10 per line.
