Paquillo Fernández facts for kids
 Fernández at the 2007 World Championships |
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| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's athletics | ||
Representing  Spain |
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| Olympic Games | ||
| Silver | 2004 Athens | 20 km walk |
| World Championships | ||
| Silver | 2003 Paris | 20 km walk |
| Silver | 2005 Helsinki | 20 km walk |
| Silver | 2007 Osaka | 20 km walk |
| World Race Walking Cup | ||
| Gold | 2006 A Coruña | 20 km walk |
| Gold | 2008 Cheboksary | 20 km walk |
| European Championships | ||
| Gold | 2002 Munich | 20 km walk |
| Gold | 2006 Gothenburg | 20 km walk |
| Bronze | 1998 Budapest | 20 km walk |
Francisco Javier Fernández Peláez (born 6 March 1977) is a famous retired Spanish race walker. He is also known as Paquillo Fernández. He was especially good at the 20 km race walk event.
Race walking is a sport where athletes walk as fast as they can. They must keep one foot on the ground at all times. It is different from running because of this rule.
On 27 July 2008, Paquillo set a new world record. He completed the 10-km race walk in just 37 minutes and 53.09 seconds. This was a very impressive achievement in his career.
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Paquillo's Amazing Achievements
Paquillo Fernández competed in many big events around the world. He won several medals for Spain. His hard work and speed made him one of the best race walkers.
Olympic Games Success
Paquillo represented Spain at the Olympic Games. This is the biggest sports event in the world.
- In 2004, he won a silver medal at the Athens Olympics. He competed in the 20 km walk. This was a huge moment for him and his country.
- He also competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He finished 7th in both of these races.
World Championships Medals
The World Championships are another very important competition. Paquillo won many silver medals there.
- In 2003, he earned a silver medal in Paris, France.
- He won another silver medal in 2005 in Helsinki, Finland.
- In 2007, he took home his third silver medal from Osaka, Japan. All these medals were for the 20 km walk.
European Championships Wins
Paquillo also had great success at the European Championships. He won two gold medals at this event.
- In 2002, he won gold in Munich, Germany.
- He won gold again in 2006 in Gothenburg, Sweden.
- He also won a bronze medal in 1998 in Budapest, Hungary. These were all for the 20 km walk.
World Race Walking Cup Victories
He also showed his strength at the IAAF World Race Walking Cup.
- Paquillo won gold medals in this competition in 2006 and 2008.
- The 2006 event was held in A Coruña, Spain.
- The 2008 event took place in Cheboksary, Russia.
Other Notable Races
Paquillo started his international career strong.
- In 1996, he won gold at the World Junior Championships in Sydney, Australia. This was for the 10,000 meter walk.
- He also won gold at the European Race Walking Cup in 1998. This event was in Dudince, Slovakia.
- In 2005, he won a gold medal at the Mediterranean Games in Almería, Spain.
See also
In Spanish: Paquillo Fernández para niños
- 2002 Race Walking Year Ranking
- List of world records in athletics
