The first two gold medals of the 2025 world titles have been decided in the two 35km walks. (AP PHOTO)
Australian Rebecca Henderson has stepped up in the absence of injured compatriot Jemima Montag to finish a creditable ninth in the women’s 35km race walk on day one of the world athletics championships in Tokyo.
Two-time Olympic medallist Montag was forced to withdraw from the team last month to undergo hamstring surgery, robbing Australia of its best walking medal hope.
Henderson’s previous best finish at a global meet was 20th in the 20km race at the 2022 world championships in Oregon, making Saturday’s effort a significant career breakthrough.
The 25-year-old stormed home in the closing stages on a warm morning in Tokyo, crossing the line in two hours 50 minutes and three seconds.
Rebecca Henderson in action during the 20km walk at the Paris Games. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)
Fellow Australians Olivia Sandery and Allanah Pitcher were 14th and 19th.
Spaniard Maria Perez won a second successive world title in 2:39:01 ahead of Italy’s Antonella Palmisano and Paula Milena Torres from Ecuador.
In the men’s 35km race, Canadian walker Evan Dunfee finally broke through for his maiden global title.
Dunfee, 34, had previously pocketed bronze in the 50km event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2019 world championships.
He claimed the first gold medal of the 2025 world titles in a time of 2:28:22.
Canada’s Evan Dunfee celebrates his win in the men’s 35km walk. (AP PHOTO)
The minor medals went to Brazil’s Caio Bonfim (2:28:55) and Japan’s Hayata Katsuki (2:29:16).
Competing at an Australian record-equalling sixth world championships, evergreen Rhydian Cowley came home strongly to finish 11th in 2:33:28.
Cowley, 34, had won bronze in the marathon mixed race relay at last year’s Paris Olympics in partnership with Montag.
Will Thompson was 25th and fellow Australian Mitchell Baker was 32nd after serving time in the penalty box.
Many of the leading walkers will be back in action in Tokyo next weekend in the 20km races.
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