Spanish race walker Maria Perez has cemented her status as a dominant force in the sport, comfortably winning the gold medal in the women’s 35km race walk at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The defending champion, who also won gold in the mixed marathon race walk relay at the Paris Olympics, clocked a time of 2:39:01, finishing more than three minutes ahead of her closest competitor.
The 29-year-old made her decisive break at the two-thirds mark from a leading group of five, turning the race into a solo time trial. Despite the horribly humid conditions, Perez appeared to make light work of the demanding course, a testament to her season-long form. Just two seconds shy of her world-leading time set at the European Race Walking Team Championships, her performance was a masterclass in endurance and strategy.
“I wanted to go for the world record but the weather did not help,” Perez said after the race. “I wanted to win a medal in two races here so I am happy. I want to thank all the Japanese. They learned and said my name on the last lap. Although I am so far away from home, it felt like home.”
Perez finished with a celebratory leap over the finish line, Spanish flag held aloft, before collapsing in exhaustion on the track. She was soon met with a warm embrace from the silver medalist, Italy’s Antonella Palmisano, who finished in 2:42:15. For Palmisano, the 34-year-old Olympic champion in the 20km race walk from four years ago, it was a successful return to Japan and her third world championship medal.
The bronze medal went to Paula Milena Torres of Ecuador, who had set a blistering early pace. While she briefly looked vulnerable, she showed remarkable resilience to hold on for a podium finish. China’s Li Peng finished a strong fourth with a personal best of 2:43:29, while Kimberly Garcia Leon of Peru, a double gold winner at the 2022 World Championships, faded to finish 10th.
Perez now has a week to recover before she turns her attention to the 20km race walk, where she hopes to secure a second medal in Tokyo, just as she did in Budapest two years ago.
