Yohan Diniz of France celebrates after winning gold in the men 50km walk day four of the 19th European Athletics Championships, Gothenburg, Sweden (© Getty Images)
Yohann Diniz thought he’d left nothing to chance for last year’s World Championships. The European Champion for the 50Km Race Walk trained as never before, arriving in Berlin with excellent morale and no physical problems, yet finished a disappointed 12th, having almost thrown in the towel.
This year the 32-year-old Frenchman is determined the experience will make him stronger, and, with a new more positive approach, plans to follow the IAAF Race Walking Challenge through to the final in September.
Changes for 2010
“In Berlin, I was really in shape but cracked mentally when on two red cards,” he said from a training camp last month.
“That experience effected me psychologically, as I’d put a lot of energy into the fight.”
Diniz has beefed up his racing schedule, and will contest all of the 2010 IAAF Race Walking Grand Prix meetings, with a mind to toughening himself up for the future.
“I want to be in top form for the European Championships and to have a wonderful World Cup. I want to do my best in the IAAF Challenge because I’m participating for the first time.”
“To be on top form mentally I need to face opponents more often. I know physically I'm ready to fight with anyone but I must be ready on both fronts.”
Diniz will contest Rio Maior, Portugal; Sesto San Giovanni, Italy; Chihuahua, Mexico; Krakow, Poland; La Coruña, Spain and the Challenge final in Beijing.
“I’ve changed approach, with new training methods and have formed a close-knit professional team around me.”
He’s also working on mental toughness using a system called Sophrology, “to help externalise my fears before major competitions”.
Mature developer
Diniz came to race walking after an education rooted in the culture of his birthplace of Épernay, in the Champagne region.
“I wanted try a new sport in 2001 after my studies in oenology (study of wine). I had good endurance and loved walking so enrolled in a club where there was a good group of walkers. In 2003 I raced in the national league, after which Denis Langlois invited me to train with him. Also, seeing Robert Korzeniowski at the World Championships that year gave me great joy and made me realise if I wanted to live those emotions I had to train seriously. So I made arrangements with Denis, my club, my city and my wife who supported me to be able to become professional in my training.”
“The hard work bore fruit from late 2004 when I achieved 3:52:11 for 50km on the track and, in 2005, 1:20:20 over 20km and 3:45:17 at 50km but I was disqualified in Helsinki. After the birth of my son I knew I had no room for error so worked extra hard, which paid off in becoming champion of Europe at Gothenburg.”
High profile in France
“In 2007 I wanted to try the 20km at the European Cup in Leamington. I walked my best race in beating the Olympic champion Ivano Brugnetti in 1:18:58 to show Gothenburg wasn’t a matter of luck. That gave me confidence and in Osaka I didn’t panic, despite two red cards, taking second place.”
Mononucleosis affected his Olympic appearance in 2008 but he 2009 began well with a 3:38:45 French record. At Berlin, however, he lost confidence in the crucial part of the race.
“In any 50km you’re playing with fire. Many things play out in the final 10km.”
A lifestyle that suits
Life as a walker is one Diniz enjoys. “Walking gives me pleasure and a desire to succeed. I continue to progress under Pascal Chirat and the support of my family is very important.”
“The event provides a full range of emotions in victories but also in losses and to be able to share with my family is a wonderful thing.”
Since Gothenburg Diniz has fronted a campaign for Adidas and the French postal service.
“My life hasn’t changed”, said Yohann, “but my title helped raise the profile of race walking.”
“The TV ads have been a major media coup for our discipline and the public’s view changed as they realised that walking is such an athletic sport. My work for La Poste promotes health and raises awareness that postal workers need to be in shape to deliver letters every day!”
Typically French, Diniz lists music, family and wine as his passions. With an eye to a future career, he also helps deprived young people.
“Sport adds meaning to their lives. I have support from my federation that will allow me to work for them at the end of my career. I want to help young athletes in their sporting ambitions.”
High expectations for 2010, and beyond
The toughening process includes the Challenge Final on 18 September. “I want to use the trip to Beijing to shine and close a season that I hope will be very good.”
“I like the 20km but need to measure myself more often against the best, make adjustments and try different tactics. I’m also intent on doing both distances at Daegu 2011 and London 2012.”
As his family background is partly Brazilian, Diniz hopes to continue to Rio in 2016.
“To finish with a medal in the 50km will be my ultimate goal. I'm still young in this discipline and have great ambitions. I love this sport, I’m extremely happy and I want to share these moments.”
Dinis has been back in full training since November. “Everything seems to be going very well. I made a small comeback (in February), walking 18:47 for 5000m without preparing.”
Fifty kilometre specialists usually only have so many chances to shine but, in taking the Challenge, Diniz is hoping a good season will yield sparkling results for years to come.
Tim Watt for the IAAF
This year the 32-year-old Frenchman is determined the experience will make him stronger, and, with a new more positive approach, plans to follow the IAAF Race Walking Challenge through to the final in September.
Changes for 2010
“In Berlin, I was really in shape but cracked mentally when on two red cards,” he said from a training camp last month.
“That experience effected me psychologically, as I’d put a lot of energy into the fight.”
Diniz has beefed up his racing schedule, and will contest all of the 2010 IAAF Race Walking Grand Prix meetings, with a mind to toughening himself up for the future.
“I want to be in top form for the European Championships and to have a wonderful World Cup. I want to do my best in the IAAF Challenge because I’m participating for the first time.”
“To be on top form mentally I need to face opponents more often. I know physically I'm ready to fight with anyone but I must be ready on both fronts.”
Diniz will contest Rio Maior, Portugal; Sesto San Giovanni, Italy; Chihuahua, Mexico; Krakow, Poland; La Coruña, Spain and the Challenge final in Beijing.
“I’ve changed approach, with new training methods and have formed a close-knit professional team around me.”
He’s also working on mental toughness using a system called Sophrology, “to help externalise my fears before major competitions”.
Mature developer
Diniz came to race walking after an education rooted in the culture of his birthplace of Épernay, in the Champagne region.
“I wanted try a new sport in 2001 after my studies in oenology (study of wine). I had good endurance and loved walking so enrolled in a club where there was a good group of walkers. In 2003 I raced in the national league, after which Denis Langlois invited me to train with him. Also, seeing Robert Korzeniowski at the World Championships that year gave me great joy and made me realise if I wanted to live those emotions I had to train seriously. So I made arrangements with Denis, my club, my city and my wife who supported me to be able to become professional in my training.”
“The hard work bore fruit from late 2004 when I achieved 3:52:11 for 50km on the track and, in 2005, 1:20:20 over 20km and 3:45:17 at 50km but I was disqualified in Helsinki. After the birth of my son I knew I had no room for error so worked extra hard, which paid off in becoming champion of Europe at Gothenburg.”
High profile in France
“In 2007 I wanted to try the 20km at the European Cup in Leamington. I walked my best race in beating the Olympic champion Ivano Brugnetti in 1:18:58 to show Gothenburg wasn’t a matter of luck. That gave me confidence and in Osaka I didn’t panic, despite two red cards, taking second place.”
Mononucleosis affected his Olympic appearance in 2008 but he 2009 began well with a 3:38:45 French record. At Berlin, however, he lost confidence in the crucial part of the race.
“In any 50km you’re playing with fire. Many things play out in the final 10km.”
A lifestyle that suits
Life as a walker is one Diniz enjoys. “Walking gives me pleasure and a desire to succeed. I continue to progress under Pascal Chirat and the support of my family is very important.”
“The event provides a full range of emotions in victories but also in losses and to be able to share with my family is a wonderful thing.”
Since Gothenburg Diniz has fronted a campaign for Adidas and the French postal service.
“My life hasn’t changed”, said Yohann, “but my title helped raise the profile of race walking.”
“The TV ads have been a major media coup for our discipline and the public’s view changed as they realised that walking is such an athletic sport. My work for La Poste promotes health and raises awareness that postal workers need to be in shape to deliver letters every day!”
Typically French, Diniz lists music, family and wine as his passions. With an eye to a future career, he also helps deprived young people.
“Sport adds meaning to their lives. I have support from my federation that will allow me to work for them at the end of my career. I want to help young athletes in their sporting ambitions.”
High expectations for 2010, and beyond
The toughening process includes the Challenge Final on 18 September. “I want to use the trip to Beijing to shine and close a season that I hope will be very good.”
“I like the 20km but need to measure myself more often against the best, make adjustments and try different tactics. I’m also intent on doing both distances at Daegu 2011 and London 2012.”
As his family background is partly Brazilian, Diniz hopes to continue to Rio in 2016.
“To finish with a medal in the 50km will be my ultimate goal. I'm still young in this discipline and have great ambitions. I love this sport, I’m extremely happy and I want to share these moments.”
Dinis has been back in full training since November. “Everything seems to be going very well. I made a small comeback (in February), walking 18:47 for 5000m without preparing.”
Fifty kilometre specialists usually only have so many chances to shine but, in taking the Challenge, Diniz is hoping a good season will yield sparkling results for years to come.
Tim Watt for the IAAF