Melanio Asensio

Melanio Asensio was born in the Bimenes parish of Suares, and in 1960 became the first Asturian athlete to compete at the Olympic Games. He started his athletics career as a high jumper at school and at the age of 15 developed his sprinting skills. He went to Madrid to study but was not successful at that, but fared better as a runner after joining the athletics section of the Real Madrid Club.

Asensio went on to win four Spanish titles, winning the 100 in 1956, 1960 and 1962, and 200 in 1960. He also set 15 national records at 100, 200 and the 4x100 relay, with 10.5 being his best for the 100 and 21.6 his 200 best. Asensio represented Spain internationally 19 times, including the 1955 Mediterranean Games in Barcelona, when he reached the 100 metres semi-final, and finished fourth in the sprint relay. He competed in the 200 metres at the Roma Olympics but was eliminated in his heat. Asensio made history, however, when his time of 22.45 was recorded, making him the first Spanish athlete to be credited with an automatic time.

Asensio was selected for the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, but injury a month before the start of the Games meant he had to pull out. H still went to Tokyo, however, and it was reported that Real Madrid president Santiago Bernabeau paid for Asensio to make the trip to Japan. Asensio retired in 1966 and, after trying several jobs, settled down to enjoy his pastimes of horses and portrait painting. After his death in 2021 it was announced that the municipal sports centre at his hometown of Bimenes would be named in his honour.

Personal Best: 200 – 21.6s (1960).