Japan’s Yamanishi retains his world title in the 20km walking race

Japan’s Yamanishi retained his world title in the 20 Km Walking race when he finished first in the 18th edition of the World Athletics Championships Friday at Hayward Field in the American city of Eugene.

Yamanishi walked the race in an hour, 19 minutes, and 7 seconds, marking his best timing of the year, achieving a double with compatriot Koki Ikeda, who won silver (1.19: 14 hours).

It is the second gold medal in the tournament after the first time that Peruvian Kimberly García León was crowned in the same race two hours ago.

Bronze returned to Sweden’s Perseus Carlstrom (1.19: 18 hours), a medal that was crowned in the last edition in Doha in 2019.

Carlstrom snatched third after strong competition with Kenya’s Samuel Kerere Gathimba (1.19: 25 hours).

Yamanishi said that winning in a hot, sunny atmosphere with little shade made him “happy.”

“It took enormous skill and I was happy to be strong enough.”

“The sun was very strong and it was a very difficult race. It was so hot. It was hotter than Doha when the race was held in the middle of the night “.

“But today the humidity was low, so it was easier. Today was my day “.