Evan Dunfee, world champion–that has a nice ring to it. On Saturday morning in Tokyo, the Canadian race-walk record holder took home the first gold medal of the 2025 World Athletics Championships, winning the 35K race walk in 2:28:22.
“It’s a dream come true–25 years in the making,” Dunfee told Canadian Running post-race.
Brazil’s Caio Bonfim took silver in 2:28:55 while Japan’s Hayato Katsuki claimed bronze in 2:29:16.
The event marks Dunfee’s seventh world championship–but it’s his first world title. And with 25 C temperatures and 94 per cent humidity, the conditions weren’t on his side. “That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” the 34-year-old admitted. “The last two kilometres were agonizing–I’ve never been in that much pain my entire life. I was having to channel all of the people back home, or on my support team here, who believe in me so much.”
Evan Dunfee wins gold in the 35 km race walk at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn
Dunfee sat in fourth and fifth for the majority of the race. With just six kilometres to go, he made a bold move, putting himself in contention for a podium finish; he quickly moved into second, then first with two kilometres left. He pushed through the final stretch with a
More updates to come.
Canadian Running’s coverage of the 2025 World Athletics Championships is brought to you by ASICS Canada.