Canadian veteran race walker Evan Dunfee expressed his aspirations to leave a remarkable mark at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, and he certainly delivered. Competing in his seventh world championships, the 34-year-old athlete from Richmond, B.C., clinched the gold medal in the men’s 35-kilometre race walk. In an impressive display of skill and determination, Dunfee overtook the top five walkers in the final eight kilometers to secure victory. He completed the race in an impressive time of two hours, 28 minutes, and 22 seconds, finishing 33 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher, Caio Bonfim.
After his triumph, Dunfee shared his elation, stating, “My coach and I have been working towards becoming world champions and setting records since I was 10 years old. Achieving both this year feels like a dream come true.” Despite turning 35 this year, Dunfee emphasized that he continues to improve and expressed gratitude to his supporters. Reflecting on the challenging race, Dunfee highlighted the last two kilometers as particularly demanding, requiring him to draw on all his strength for his fans and backers. His perseverance paid off, culminating in a well-deserved gold medal.
In previous world championships and the Tokyo Olympics, Dunfee had secured notable achievements, including a bronze in the 50-kilometer walk. Moreover, he made history by claiming Canada’s first Olympic medal in the event. Additionally, Dunfee’s success extended to the Commonwealth Games in 2022, where he dominated the 10-kilometer walk competition. Despite facing challenges, such as a fifth-place finish in the 20-kilometer walk at the Paris Games, Dunfee’s determination and skill continue to shine on the world stage.
On the same day, Canadian race walker Olivia Lundman faced a setback in the women’s 35-kilometer race walk, failing to finish the race and receiving a disqualification at the eight-kilometer mark. The victory in the women’s race went to Maria Perez of Spain, who completed the event in 2 hours and 29 minutes, and 45 seconds.
In other events, American sprinters Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles showcased impressive performances in the preliminary heats of the 100 meters. Both athletes, defending world champions, won their respective heats, setting the stage for an exciting competition. Despite facing challenges in the lead-up to the championships, Richardson and Lyles demonstrated resilience and determination in their races. The stage is set for a thrilling showdown in the semifinals and finals, with several top contenders, including Canadian sprinters Jerome Blake, Andre De Grasse, and Eliezer Adjibi, advancing to the next rounds.
The world championships also saw exceptional performances in other disciplines, including Beatrice Chebet’s victory in the women’s 10,000 meters and Ryan Crouser’s impressive hat-trick win in shot put. The United States secured another gold in the 4x400m mixed relay, showcasing their dominance in the event.
The championship continues to unfold with exciting competitions and remarkable achievements, setting the stage for more thrilling moments in the world of athletics.