Alvaro Martin became the first gold medallist at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 as he won a storm-delayed men’s 20km race walk.
The Spaniard took over from long-time leader Koki Ikeda with five kilometres remaining to become the first of this event’s Superheroes in Heroes Square.
The 29-year-old from Llerena, who missed an Olympic medal in this event by one place at the Tokyo Games, claimed his first global title in rain-swept conditions with a perfectly judged race that saw him come home in a world-leading 1:17:32.
Also judging his race superbly was Perseus Karlstrom, who won world bronze at 20km and 35km in Oregon last year and who earned a place one step higher on the podium with a Swedish record of 1:17:39, with bronze going to Brazil’s Caio Bonfim, who also set a national record of 1:17:47.
Canada’s Evan Dunfee, who earned bronze at the last men’s 50km race walk events to be held at the Olympics and World Championships, demonstrated how effectively he has switched his racing focus by finishing with the strength you might have expected to finish fourth in a national record of 1:18:03.
Martin, who won the 2018 European title and finished seventh in this event at last year’s World Championships, recalled his Olympic frustration in his moment of victory.
“I was fourth at the last Olympics Games, I missed the bronze which motivated me to work hard,” he said.
“In Tokyo, I felt when I was in the fourth position that I could win a medal. Unfortunately, it did not happen and that is why this gold medal is next step towards the next Olympic Games.
“I had an amazing race today, I did not expect to finish this fast, it is amazing. I cannot express all my feelings right now, it feels like a dream.
“I have one of the best coaches in the world, Jose Antonio Carillo, who is one of the best race walkers in history.
“I watched previous championships where Miguel Angel Lopez won and I cried a lot, I was really happy for him. I did the same now. I am really happy and I do not have words to express it.
“Huge thanks goes to my coach and my girlfriend, this is a medal for the team. Actually, my whole family came to support me. The next goal is the gold at the Olympic Games but the only thing I want to do now is to cry out of happiness. I am going to enjoy this moment.”
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