The penultimate day of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo saw a thrilling finish in the 20km race walk, Beatrice Chebet scripting history and also a 1-2 finish for Kenya. Juleisy Angulo won Ecuador’s first-ever field gold and Jessica Schilder stunned the reigning world champion.
The day began with the women’s 20km race walk. Spain’s Maria Perez won with an impressive season best effort of 1:25:54 to retain her crown. Mexico’s Alegna Gonzalez followed her closely and finished just behind in 1:26:06. The local favourite, Nanako Fujii, clinched bronze in 1:26:18. With this victory, Perez completed a double, as she won the 35km race walk on the opening day.
The men’s 20km race walk saw a thrilling finish. Brazil’s Caio Bonfim clinched his first ever Worlds title clocking 1:18:35. China’s Zhaozhao Wang took silver with 1:18:43 and Spain’s Paul McGrath settled for bronze with the same timing of 1:18:45. All three medals were decided within a span of just 10 seconds. India’s Servin Sebastian finished 31st.
Chebet, from Kenya, completed the 5000m and 10000m double. He won the 10000m on Day 1 and today, she edged her compatriot Faith Kipyegon (14:55.07) to win the 5000m clocking 14:54.36. Italy’s Nadia Battocletti won bronze with a timing of 14:55.42.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya broke the championship record to claim the men’s 800m title. He clocked 1:41.86. Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati clinched silver with a season best effort of 1:41.90 and Canada’s Marco Arop took bronze in 1:41.95.
Angulo produced the biggest surprise of the day by winning women’s javelin gold. She made history by becoming the first-ever Ecuadorian to reach a field event final at the Worlds before winning it. She hurled 65.12m to edge past Latvia’s Anete Seitina (64.64m). Australia’s Mackenzie Little settled for bronze with 63.58m.
In the women’s shot put, Dutch athlete Jessica Schilder claimed the title with a throw of 20.29m, beating USA’s two-time world champion Chase Jackson (20.21m). Australia’s Maddison Lee Wesche secured bronze with a personal best effort of 20.06m.
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