Strong Japanese team led by two-time world champion and world record-holder Toshikazu Yamanishi
World and Olympic medallist Caio Bonfim aiming for another podium place
Evan Dunfee, who eclipsed the world record for the 35km earlier in 2025, doubles up
In February of this year, Toshikazu Yamanishi lowered the world record for the men’s 20km race walk by a quarter of a minute with 1:16:10.
That rapid performance in Kobe booked his place on the Japanese team for these World Championships and he will be the favourite to shine once more in front of his home crowd.
Expectations are high in Japan for a home gold for Yamanishi, who looked in Kobe like he still had more in the tank at the end, sharing a joke with lapped athletes towards the latter stages of the race.
Whether he can get under 1:16 is another matter entirely; when he returns to the streets where he took Olympic bronze in 2021, Yamanishi’s main aim will be to add to the world gold medals he won in 2019 and 2022.
It is not beyond the realms of comprehension that Japan could sweep the podium. And while Olympic champion Brian Pintado will be absent, as will the now-retired 2023 world champion Alvaro Martin, there are no shortage of medal contenders from other nations.
The best of the rest this season behind Yamanishi is Satoshi Maruo who, although overshadowed by his teammate, has set a career best of 1:17:24 this season. Kento Yoshikawa, meanwhile, is fifth fastest of the World Championships entrants.
Brazil’s Caio Bonfim earned world bronze in 2017 and 2023, then took Olympic silver in Paris last year. The 2024 Race Walking Tour winner is keen to win his first global gold.
And then comes Evan Dunfee, like a fine wine seemingly getting better with age. He suffered the agony of two fourth-place finishes in his last World Championship appearance in both the 20km and 35km race walks. The Canadian, who also has an Olympic medal to his name, broke the world record for the longer distance earlier this year and has also smashed his 20km PB with 1:17:39.
As is often the case, China fields three athletes capable of challenging for medals. Asian champion Wang Zhaozha is the quickest of the trio this year; he’s joined by global championship debutants Qian Haifeng and Li Chenjie.
Spain’s Paul McGrath looks to be the leading European contender. The European silver medallist won the European Race Walking Championships this year in 1:18:05, just 10 seconds shy of his PB.
Misganaw Wakuma placed sixth at the Olympics last year at the age of 20, achieving Ethiopia’s highest ever finish in a men’s race walk at a global championships. Earlier this year, he broke the African record with a 1:18:32 clocking at altitude, suggesting he’s capable of going quicker at sea level.
Sweden’s Perseus Karlstrom, a medallist at the past three World Championships, and European bronze medallist Francesco Fortunato also cannot be discounted.
Matt Majendie for World Athletics