Ferranti and Ehlers Triumph at 15th Arona International Combined Events Meeting
Antoine Ferranti and Anna Elisabeth Ehlers claimed victory at the 15th Arona International Combined Events Meeting, securing qualification spots for upcoming major championships.
The 15th Arona International Combined Events Meeting has firmly established itself as a must-attend event on the World Athletics calendar. Held this past weekend at the Antonio Domínguez Stadium, the competition served as both a high-level contest and a crucial qualifying gateway for major global and continental championships.
In the men’s decathlon, France’s Antoine Ferranti took the top spot with 8,240 points, finishing ahead of Puerto Rico’s Yariel Soto (8,032) and Belgium’s Flor Lambrechts (7,835). In the women’s heptathlon, Germany’s Anna Elisabeth Ehlers dominated with 6,216 points, joined on the podium by Swiss athletes Lydia Boll (5,852) and Linda Bichsel (5,827).
The results had significant implications for the athletes' seasons: Ferranti and Ehlers both qualified for the European Championships in Birmingham, while Soto secured his place at the Central American Games in Santo Domingo. Additionally, Portugal’s Natacha Candé made her mark by setting new national U20 and U23 records, earning her a spot at the World U20 Championships in Oregon.
The event’s importance goes beyond the scoreboard. The Antonio Domínguez Stadium in southern Tenerife has become a key destination for sports tourism, with international teams frequently choosing the island for its ideal climate during winter training. Arona’s Councilor for Sports, Luis Sierra, noted that the event continues to attract athletes from across the globe, reinforcing the municipality’s commitment to keeping the venue on the international circuit.
The closing ceremony, supported by the Tenerife Island Council and the Hospiten group, honored coaches Fernando Oliva and Manoli Alonso for their long-standing dedication to the meeting. Organizers praised the immense effort of the judges, volunteers, and technical staff who ensured the event’s success. Despite the physical intensity of the competition, the meeting maintained its high standards, guaranteeing its return to the athletic calendar next year.