TOKYO, JAPAN — In the sweltering humidity of Tokyo, Evan Dunfee of Canada and Spain’s Maria Perez won the first gold medals of the 20th World Athletics Championships in the gruelling 35-km race walks on Saturday. Both athletes demonstrated exceptional endurance and tactical patience to overcome both their rivals and the challenging conditions.
Dunfee’s Patience Pays Off in Men’s Race
Evan Dunfee, with the pain of the gruelling effort etched on his face, crossed the line at the National Stadium in two hours, 28 minutes, and 22 seconds to claim his first global title. The 34-year-old Canadian, who won bronze at the 2019 World Championships and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, expressed his joy, telling Reuters in a post-race interview, “It is a dream come true. I was just patient today. That is part of my game, and everyone who knows me knows that I can become better in the second half of the race.”
Despite a strong early pace set by local hopefuls Hayato Katsuki and Masatora Kawano, Dunfee bided his time. He surged in the final kilometres, sweeping past the Japanese athletes to take a lead he would not relinquish. Caio Bonfim of Brazil won silver in 2:28.55, while Hayato Katsuki took a popular bronze for hosts Japan in 2:29.16.
Perez Retains Title with Dominant Performance
In the women’s race, Spanish defending champion Maria Perez proved her dominance once again. The world record holder, who had completed a 20-km-35-km double at the last world championships in Budapest two years ago, roared in delight as she hit the tape in 2:39.01. She celebrated before sinking to her knees on the track, sobbing with emotion.
Perez raced in a five-strong leading pack before making her decisive move with more than 10 km still to go. She pulled away from the pack with apparent ease, securing a dominant victory. Italian Antonella Palmisano, the 2021 Tokyo Olympic champion at 20km, took silver more than three minutes behind in 2:42.24, while bronze went to Paula Milena Torres in an Ecuadorian record time of 2:42.44.
“I kept fighting throughout the course, and this is what race walking is about, to aim to be a better athlete and person,” said Perez. “I feel privileged to beat Antonella. She is my idol.”
Perez now faces the tough task of recovering for next Saturday’s 20-km race, where she will attempt to secure a back-to-back golden double.
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