Spain’s Maria Perez wins 20km walk for historic double sweep at World Championships

TOKYO – Spain’s Maria Perez collected her second gold medal of the World Athletics Championships in the 20km walk on Sept 20 to secure an unprecedented double-double, after also successfully defending her 35km title last week.

The 29-year-old slapped her singlet in delight as she crossed the line in 1hr 25min 54sec, a comfortable 12 seconds ahead of Mexico’s Alegna Gonzalez in second place.

It was a redeeming moment for Perez, who had missed out on an Olympic medal by eight seconds at the same National Stadium in 2021.

“I am the happiest woman in the world,” she said. “I did not come here today to make history in women’s sport. I just came to improve myself and not to focus on the time.

“Last time in Japan, I left with a bitter-sweet taste. I am leaving happy now,” added Perez, who also did the walk double in Budapest in 2023.

To the delight of the roaring crowd, Nanako Fujii just held off charging Ecuadorian Paula Milena Torres at the line to finish third and secure Japan a first global medal in the women’s walk events.

It was Japan’s second medal at the 20th World Athletics Championships, after Hayato Katsuki’s bronze in the men’s 35km walk.

In weather conditions considerably kinder than the punishing heat of last week’s 35km walk, the medal contenders clung together in the leading pack for more than half of the race.

With a few kilometres remaining, Perez eased away to take control of the race with her fluid, confident strides.

Olympic champion and world record holder Yang Jiayu of China finished sixth (1:27:16) in her first outing of the season.

In a thrilling contest for third, Fujii clung on to the bronze-medal position, cheered on by flag-waging spectators as she entered the National Stadium with Torres close on her heels.

With two red cards, the 26-year-old was in danger of losing it all had she picked up a third and been forced to endure a two-minute penalty.

In the end, Fujii just held on to finish a hair ahead of Torres in their shared time of 1:26:18, a Japanese record.

“I have been waiting for this moment for a while and it finally happened,” said Fujii, who was wearing a black ribbon to honour her coach, who died in August.

“Winning the bronze medal in my country feels very special.”

In the men’s event, Brazil’s Caio Bonfim blazed to his first world title after a time penalty for world record holder Toshikazu Yamanishi opened up the race in the closing stages.

Crossing the line in 1:18:35, the 34-year-old Bonfim picked up his second medal of the world championships after a silver in the 35km.

China’s Wang Zhaozhao won silver in 1:18:43, while Spain’s Paul McGrath trailed by two seconds for the bronze.

Competing in his eighth world championships, Bonfim took the lead from McGrath inside the last 2km and held on to earn Brazil its first global title in men’s race walking. REUTERS