Joma leads the way in European race walking with five medals and gold for Paul McGrath at Birmingham 2026. The brand also claimed a team silver through Alessia Tuccitto, while six Joma-equipped federations collected 16 medals.
One of Joma’s biggest highlights at the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships was Paul McGrath’s gold medal in the half marathon race walk. Competing in the R-5000, the Spanish athlete became the first European champion over this new distance.
With McGrath (1:23:23) leading Joma’s results, the brand finished Birmingham 2026 with six medals linked to its athletes and competition footwear. Race walking accounted for five of these podiums, while Alessia Tuccitto added a team silver in the marathon. Six Joma-equipped federations also won 16 medals.
Five race walking medals
Alongside McGrath’s gold, Alexandrina Mihai (1:31:04) claimed silver in the women’s half marathon race walk wearing the R-4000. The same model accompanied Andrea Cosi (1:23:49) to bronze in the men’s event.
The results continued over the longer distance. Miguel Ángel López (2:56:57) became European marathon race walk silver medallist, while Raquel González (3:14:55) secured bronze in the women’s event.
Team silver for Alessia Tuccitto
The sixth medal came in the women’s marathon. Alessia Tuccitto claimed silver with the Italian team, competing in the RS-9000.
Her result extended Joma’s medal tally beyond race walking and took another model from the R line onto the European podium.
Sixteen medals for Joma-equipped federations
The national teams wearing Joma also featured prominently in the medal table. Six partner federations collected 16 medals: five golds, four silvers and seven bronzes.
Spain led the way with eight medals: two golds, two silvers and four bronzes. Croatia and Hungary each secured one gold and one silver, while Slovenia won gold. Bulgaria claimed two bronzes, with Serbia completing the tally with a bronze medal.
Spain 🥇x2🥈x2🥉x4
Croatia 🥇🥈
Hungary 🥇🥈
Slovenia🥇
Bulgaria🥉x2
Serbia 🥉
Which Joma shoes reached the podium at Birmingham 2026?
R-5000
A World Athletics-approved competition shoe designed to help athletes sustain fast paces without unnecessary weight holding them back.
- Lightweight, breathable technical mesh upper with VTS technology
- Carbon Plate to maximise propulsion and improve energy transfer, supporting a faster and more efficient stride
- 6 mm drop and Fly Reactive midsole for lightweight propulsion
- Durability rubber outsole
R-4000
This super-light model weighs 177 grams and supports fast, agile movement.
- Technical mesh upper with VTS technology
- Low profile and 6 mm drop
- Fly Reactive midsole combining lightness and responsiveness
- Stabilis system in the midfoot to help prevent unwanted twisting
- Durability rubber outsole
RS-9000
An ultra-light competition shoe weighing just 126 grams. Designed for technically proficient runners and very fast paces, it delivers responsiveness, efficiency and control.
- Nylon yarn upper reinforced with polyamide
- 8 mm drop and Light Reactive midsole made with injected Pebax for responsive cushioning
- Carbon plate to increase energy return and stabilise the foot at high speeds
- Lightweight, resistant CPU outsole positioned in high-contact areas to improve traction and reduce weight
