Dunfee Headlines Field as Race Walkers Prepare for Tokyo 25 Showdown
TOKYO – Canada’s Evan Dunfee will be the man to beat at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, as the men’s 35km race walk is set to kick off competition on September 13th. The event will see a new champion crowned following the retirements of Alvaro martin and, crucially, the withdrawal of world record-holder Massimo Stano due to a hamstring injury.
Stano, the 2021 Olympic 20km champion and 2022 world 35km champion, recently clocked a world record of 2:20:43 earlier this year, but will be unable to defend his title. Martin concluded his illustrious career after securing double world gold in Budapest last year.
Dunfee arrives in Tokyo as the clear frontrunner, boasting a season’s best of 2:21:40 set in Dudince in March – a time that briefly stood as the world record. The 34-year-old has previously earned bronze medals at both the 2019 World Championships (50km) and the 2021 Olympics (50km), and also holds the North American record for 20km with a time of 1:17:39.
All eyes will be on Japan’s Masatora Kawano, the host nation’s hopeful for a medal. The 26-year-old secured silver at the 2022 World Championships and bronze in 2023, and previously held the world record at 2:21:47. Though he hasn’t contested a 35km race this year, Kawano has demonstrated strong form in the 20km event, recording a time of 1:18:19. He will be supported by teammates Hayato Katsuki and satoshi Maruo.
Germany’s Christopher Linke,with a personal best of 2:23:21,is also aiming for his first global podium finish after placing fifth at both the 2023 World Championships and the 2021 olympic Games. Spain will look to Miguel Angel Lopez, the 2015 world 20km champion, who recently set a Spanish record of 2:23:48 in the 35km distance.
Mexico’s josé Luis Doctor (PB 2:24:41) and Andres Eduardo Olivas Núñez (SB 2:25:08) will also be competing for contention. Several athletes, including Sweden’s perseus Karlstrom, brazil’s Caio Bonfim, and Australia’s Rhydian Cowley, are entered in both the 20km and 35km race walks.
Annika Saunus for World Athletics
