WCH Tokyo 25: Men’s 35km Race Walk Preview
- Budapest, Hungary - The world's top 35km race walkers are poised to compete for championship titles, with several athletes aiming for career milestones.
- Canada's Evan Dunfee, who earlier in 2024 broke the world record in the 35km race walk with a time of 2:32:34 according to World Athletics, is a...
- Masatora Kawano of Japan is aiming for his third consecutive World Championships title, having won in 2017 and 2019.
Elite Race Walkers Prepare for World Championships Battle
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Budapest, Hungary - The world’s top 35km race walkers are poised to compete for championship titles, with several athletes aiming for career milestones. The competition will be held as part of the 2024 World Athletics Championships.
Dunfee Eyes First Global Gold
Canada’s Evan Dunfee, who earlier in 2024 broke the world record in the 35km race walk with a time of 2:32:34 according to World Athletics, is a strong favorite for gold. This will be a pivotal race for Dunfee, as he seeks his first major global championship title.
Kawano Seeks Historic Third Consecutive Title
Masatora Kawano of Japan is aiming for his third consecutive World Championships title, having won in 2017 and 2019. Kawano’s consistency and experience make him a formidable opponent. He is a key figure in the Japanese race walking program, which has consistently produced top-level athletes.
European challengers and Personal Bests
German record-holder Christopher Linke, the second-fastest in the field this year, is targeting his first global podium finish. He previously finished fifth at the 2023 World Championships and the 2021 Olympic Games. Linke set a personal best (PB) of 2:23:21 at the European Race Walking Team Championships in Podebrady in May 2024 as detailed on world Athletics.
The Spanish challenge is led by Miguel Angel Lopez, the 2015 world 20km champion. Lopez has transitioned to longer distances and broke the Spanish 35km record earlier in the year with a time of 2:23:48, making him the third-fastest competitor. According to the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation.
mexico’s hopefuls and Doubling Athletes
Mexico’s hopes rest with José Luis Doctor, the fifth-fastest in the field this year with a PB of 2:24:41, and Andres Eduardo Olivas Núñez, who has a season’s best of 2:25:08.
Several leading contenders are competing in both race walk events,including Sweden’s Perseus Karlstrom,Brazil’s Caio Bonfim,and Australia’s Rhydian Cowley. This dual participation adds an extra layer of challenge and strategic consideration for thes athletes.