The early morning in Tokyo brought a tough challenge for Portugal’s shot putter Tsanko Arnaudov. Competing at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025, the 33-year-old athlete from Sporting club aimed for a spot in the final. However, his performance left him short, finishing 23rd overall in the qualification rounds.
Arnaudov began his series with a throw of 19.59 meters. He couldn’t improve on that mark. His subsequent attempts measured 18.89 and 19.34 meters. This best toss placed him 10th in Group B. It also positioned him 23rd in the full qualification standings. Direct entry to the final required a throw of 21.35 meters. The last spot in the final was secured by Poland’s Konrad Bukowiecki, with a throw of 20.38 meters. Interestingly, that 20.38-meter mark was exactly Arnaudov’s season best coming into the competition.
A Season Best Needed
Speaking from the mixed zone at Japan’s National Stadium, Arnaudov shared his thoughts. “You always need a ‘season best’ to get there,” he stated. “It always takes a ‘season best.’ I could have done more, you can always do more!” He reflected on his effort. “But I didn’t fail anything; only those who stayed home failed. I was good, I felt good. Only the shot didn’t fly as much as we worked the whole year.”
Arnaudov will miss the final, which is scheduled for later today. This marks his fifth appearance at the World Championships. His 23rd place finish lands him below his 17th-place results from London 2017 (20.08 meters) and Oregon 2022 (19.93 meters). However, it sits above his 25th spot in Beijing 2013 (18.85 meters) and his 30th in Budapest 2023 (19.13 meters).
Perspective and Pride
Despite not making the final, Arnaudov maintained a philosophical outlook. “I am among the top 30 in the world, among eight billion people in the world,” he explained. “How can I leave disappointed?” He acknowledged the effort. “I could have made a better mark; I worked for it. Simply, sometimes, it doesn’t happen, as in many of the competitions this season.” He wasn’t entirely pleased, but found peace in his commitment. “Here it was not terrible, it was so-so. But I did not fail, and I am here among many who also fought for this during the whole year.” The national record holder, with a best throw of 21.56 meters, reiterated that he would leave “calm and with my head held high.”
For the record, the best-ever Portuguese performance in the shot put at the World Championships belongs to Marco Fortes. He achieved an impressive fifth place at the Daegu 2011 event.