The World Athletics Championships got underway on Saturday, September 13, with the men’s and women’s 35 km race walk held early in the morning to avoid the heat in Tokyo. According to several reports, the average temperatures between June and August were 2.36°C above the standard value.
India’s national-record holder Ram Baboo and veteran Sandeep Kumar were in action in the men’s 35km race walk, while Priyanka Goswami took part in the women’s event.
The 39-year-old Sandeep Kumar finished 23rd, clocking 2:39:15. However, for Ram Baboo, it was a heartbreaking outing. He entered the penalty zone and was marked disqualified after receiving a fourth red card.
The 34-year-old Evan Dunfee of Canada clinched gold with a timing of 2:28:22. Caio Bonfim of Brazil won silver in 2:28:55, and local favorite Hayato Katsuki of Japan settled for bronze, clocking 2:29:16.
In the women’s 35 km race walk, Priyanka finished 24th place with a timing of 3:05:58.
Maria Perez of Spain once again showed her brilliance, as she successfully defended her world title with an impressive timing of 2:39:01. Antonella Palmisano of Italy clinched silver in 2:42:24, and Paula Torres of Ecuador won bronze, setting a national record of 2:42:44.
Later in the day, India’s middle-distance runner Pooja Olla will be in action in the women’s 1500m heats.
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