Andorran Alba Viñals Debuts in 400m Hurdles at World U20 Championships

Alba Viñals was eliminated in the first round of the women's 400m hurdles at the World Under-20 Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, finishing last in her heat with a time of 1:01.52.

The 19-year-old, the sole representative of the Andorran Athletics Federation (FAA), competed in the third heat on Monday evening at Hayward Field. She trailed far behind the leaders, including winner Mariam Kareem of the United Arab Emirates (57.87), Jamaica's Shevaughn Thomas in second (58.36), and Bahamas' Kei-Mahri Hanna in third.

The time was well outside Viñals' personal best of 59.98, set in April. It also fell short of her season mark of 59.63. The result ends her campaign, which featured a tough outing at the Spanish senior championships in Málaga amid challenging conditions.

Ahead of the race, Viñals voiced motivation despite those struggles. She described an unfavorable lane and low spirits in Spain but emphasized her commitment. "My only goal is to go out on the track with energy and give it my all," she said, highlighting the prestige of the Hayward Field track despite never having raced there.

Viñals studies in the United States with her sister, Duna Viñals, and will now take a break before next season. Andorra's next major athletics event is the European senior championships in Birmingham from August 10 to 16, where Nahuel Carabaña is the only entrant.