The Meeting Moniz Pereira Indoor, held in Portugal, delivered a spectacular showcase of athletic prowess, featuring explosive sprints, intense hurdles, and grueling middle-distance races. Organized under the banner of European Athletics, this event drew top talents from across Europe and beyond, with standout performances setting new meeting records and personal bests. Uploaded just a day ago on January 28, 2026, the highlights video captures the electric atmosphere, close finishes, and emerging stars that made this competition unforgettable. Here’s a breakdown of the key moments and results.
Women’s 60m Hurdles: A Record-Breaking Finale
The women’s 60m hurdles final kicked off the action with high drama. Ukraine’s Elina Bjinska, who clocked an impressive 8.21 in the heats, set the pace early, but it was Portugal’s Melissa Sereno who stole the show. Coming off a personal best of 8.20 earlier this season, Sereno surged ahead in a nail-biting finish, crossing the line in 8.19 seconds to claim victory and a new meeting record. Bjinska followed closely in 8.21, with Olympia Barbosa rounding out the podium.
This race highlighted the depth of talent, as all three top finishers matched or bettered the previous meeting record set in the heats. Sereno’s form, fresh off six rounds of long jump earlier in the day, proved her versatility and resilience under fatigue.
Men’s 60m Hurdles: A Dive to Victory
The men’s 60m hurdles saw a fierce battle between emerging young talent and seasoned competitors. Venezuela’s Gettison Vidal Eigira started strong in lane two, but it was Ceino Ambris, the European U20 bronze medalist from 2023, who pulled ahead mid-race. Bulgaria’s former Balkan champion Stannislav Stankov, with a personal best of 7.71, mounted a late charge and secured the win with a dramatic dive at the line.
The photo finish confirmed Stankov’s triumph, edging out Ambris in a race that exemplified the razor-thin margins in sprint hurdles. This close contest was one of the meet’s most exhilarating moments, showcasing raw speed and tactical dipping.
Women’s 60m Flat: Youth and Experience Collide
In the women’s 60m flat, 16-year-old Portuguese prodigy Catalina Ventura, the reigning U18 and U20 national champion, faced off against experienced athletes like Beatriz Andrade and Catarina Castellano. Castellano, who represented Portugal at the European Team Championships, dominated with a personal best of 7.35 seconds, holding off a strong challenge from Andrade (7.38) and Ventura.
The race underlined the blend of youth and veteran skill, with Ventura’s potential shining through despite her age. Andrade, a key member of Portugal’s quartet at last year’s European Teams, added to the home crowd’s excitement with her solid performance.
Men’s 60m Flat: Nascimento’s Hometown Heroics
All eyes were on local favorite Carlos Nascimento, who finished seventh at the European Indoors with a 6.61 personal best. Facing stiff competition from Andre Praseres (PB 6.73) and others, Nascimento got a strong start but was pipped at the post by Hercene, who claimed victory in 6.71 seconds.
Nascimento’s late surge and celebratory finish energized the spectators, many of whom came specifically to cheer him on. This race demonstrated the depth in Portuguese sprinting, with Praseres and others pushing the pace throughout.
Women’s 400m: Vanessa’s Commanding Win
The women’s 400m featured a strong field, including Bulgaria’s Andrea Sabola (recent 54.1 PB) and Portugal’s Karina Vanessa (52.62 lifetime best). Vanessa asserted dominance early, holding off Sabola and Juliana Guerrero to win in 53.69 seconds. While shy of the meeting record, this January performance signals a promising season ahead.
Favali and Souza battled in the pack, but Vanessa’s relaxed stride and tactical pacing made her the standout, sticking “like glue” to the leaders before pulling away.
Men’s 400m: Auano’s Blistering Pace
In the men’s 400m final heat, Italy’s Vani Pico Auano (46.04 PB) led from the front, hitting the bell at mid-22 seconds and fending off Omar El Katib and Greece’s Petros Keropoulos to win in 47.44—the fastest time of the day. Teammate Andrea Bertilani and Spain’s Miguel Marquez kept the pressure on, but Auano’s endurance prevailed.
This race capped a series of strong 400m performances, with Auano’s victory highlighting international flair at the meet.
Looking Ahead: The 2000m Races
The highlights teased upcoming 2000m events, a rarely contested distance with historical significance. The women’s race featured athletes like Figueredo, who recently placed eighth in Portugal’s 10K championships, alongside Car, Holmes, and Castro. With European records dating back to the 1990s (Sonia O’Sullivan’s 5:25.36 from 1994), anticipation built for potential breakthroughs, though the transcript cuts off before full results.
Wrapping Up the Meet
The Meeting Moniz Pereira Indoor proved why indoor athletics captivates fans: lightning-fast sprints, strategic middle-distance efforts, and the thrill of records tumbling. With over 3,300 views and 77 likes in its first day online, the highlights video from European Athletics captures the essence of this Portuguese gem. As the indoor season heats up, keep an eye on stars like Sereno, Stankov, and Vanessa for more record-chasing action. For full results and more athletics coverage, stay tuned to European Athletics channels.
