After an intense duel at the very end of the race, Massimo Stano snatched the title of world champion in the 35km walk ahead of Masatora Kawano when Perseus Karlström completed the podium. The only Frenchman entered, Aurélien Quinion took 14th place.
Italy will not leave fanny of Eugene. A year after the successful Tokyo Olympics with Lamont Marcell Jacobs and Gianmarco Tamberi, the Squadra Azzurra waited until the last day of the world athletics championships to open their medal count thanks to Massimo Stano on the occasion of the 35km walk. A race that was quickly led by Daisuke Matsunaga. The latter was no less than 48 seconds ahead of the peloton after five kilometers. A lead that even reached 52 seconds after fifteen kilometers before the Japanese collapsed to take 26th place ten minutes behind the winner. From then on, a group of seven walkers distanced themselves but, very quickly, Eider Arevalo and José Luis Doctor showed their limits and gave up all hope of finishing on the podium.
The Olympic Champion becomes WORLD CHAMPION!
It is ? for ?? by @MassimoStano
#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/5iM0FeXkEO— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) July 24, 2022
Stano held on, Quinion at his best
The last five kilometers saw Massimo Stano pick up the pace. The Italian was able to isolate himself at the head of the race and only Masatora Kawano was able to answer him. Nevertheless, the Japanese fails one second behind the new world champion on the finish line. 30 seconds later, Perseus Karlström went to take the bronze medal. On the French side, Aurélien Quinion was the only walker to line up for the event which now replaces the 50km walk on the program of the Worlds. Outdistanced by the peloton from the first five kilometers, the student of Denis Langlois smoothed his effort throughout the race to climb up to fourteenth position, completing the distance in 2h28’46”. Improving by just over a minute the best performance of his career established in Dudince last April, Aurélien Quinion set a new French record for the distance.
ATHLETICS – WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS / 35KM WALK (H)
Final ranking – Sunday July 27, 2022
1- Massimo Stano (ITA) 2h23’14 ”
2- Masatora Kawano (JAP) 2h23’15”
3- Perseus Karlström (SUE) 2h23’44”
4- Brian Daniel Pintado (EQU) 2h24’37”
5- Xianhong He (CHN) 2h23’45”
…
14- Aurélien Quinion (FRA) 2h28’46”
…
