TOKYO, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's Caio Bonfim and Spain's Maria Perez captured the men's and women's 20km race walk titles at the World Athletics Championships here on Friday.
Bonfim delivered a powerful finish to win the men's crown in 1:18:35, edging China's Wang Zhaozhao by eight seconds. Spain's Paul McGrath took bronze in 1:18:45.
Perez extended her dominance by taking the women's gold in a season-best 1:25:54. The 28-year-old Spaniard has now swept both the 20km and 35km race walk titles at two consecutive World Championships (Budapest 2023 and Tokyo 2025).
"I have competed in five world championships and this is my fourth medal. I am the happiest woman in the world," said the 29-year-old Perez.
Mexico's Alegna Gonzalez clocked 1:26:06 for silver, while Japan's Nanako Fujii delighted home fans by taking bronze in a national record time of 1:26:18. China's reigning Olympic champion Yang Jiayu finished sixth in a season-best 1:27:16. ■
