The atmosphere in Leiria crackled. Sporting Lisbon’s athletics teams delivered a double knockout punch at the National Club Athletics Championships. Their men’s squad grabbed a title they hadn’t touched in 15 years. Meanwhile, the women’s team kept their amazing run going, winning for the 15th time in a row.
Paulo Reis, the head of athletics for Sporting, saw the victories as more than just trophies. “This means a lot for our athletics program,” he told the Lusa news agency. “It’s truly more than just a title.” The men’s win was their 49th overall, while the women’s team now boasts 55 national club championships.
The men’s competition was a nail-biter. It all came down to the very last race, the 4×400 meters relay. When the dust settled, Sporting and rivals Benfica were tied. Both teams had 149 points after 21 events. The tie-breaker rule checked individual event rankings, and this time, Sporting came out on top. Just two years ago, in 2022, a similar tie had gone Benfica’s way.
The road to victory was tough from the start. On Saturday, the first day of the championships, Sporting’s men faced a big setback. They were disqualified in the 4×100 relay. This meant they started the competition eight points behind. “That was a huge hit, especially after 14 years of not winning,” Reis explained. “To lose points in the very first event, that hurt. But the team showed incredible character and determination to push through.”
The event showcased powerful teamwork. Spectators saw athletes, coaches, and support staff working together. Even young athletes from Sporting’s academy came to cheer, acting like an extra-loud fan section. This unity was something the club had wanted for a long time, Reis noted. The men’s win was a first outdoor club national title for veteran race walker João Vieira. At 49 years old, Vieira joined Sporting in 2011. This victory marked a special moment in his long career.
On the women’s side, Sporting’s dominance continued. They finished with 161 points, a massive 53 points ahead of GD Estreito. Benfica, another major club, did not even compete in the first division final this year. Reis admitted that the top level of women’s athletics needs more depth in Portugal. He hopes Sporting’s efforts to bring in and keep young female athletes will change that. The goal is to help more women reach their full potential in the sport.
Sporting’s athletics program is quite large, with almost 600 registered athletes and 30 coaches. Reis spoke about their bigger vision. These senior titles follow wins in younger age groups: Under-16, Under-18, and Under-23. The team also aims to win the Under-20 national title this month. “If we can win all outdoor national titles for both men and women across all age groups, that would be truly unique,” Reis stated. He sees the senior team as the top of a pyramid, built on strong groundwork with younger athletes.
For Paulo Reis, winning in Leiria felt even more special. He was born in a nearby village called Vidigal. He started his own athletics journey at the very stadium where the championships took place. He knows the facilities well, including the National Throws Center. Reis lives only 300 meters from the track. “For me, it was almost like playing at home,” he said with pride. “I am a proud Leirian, even though my work is now with Sporting. I never forget where I came from.”