Bonfim takes first world title in 20-kilometer race walk in Tokyo

Brazilian Caio Bonfim has taken his first world title in the 0-kilometer race walk in Tokyo. This became a fact after world record holder and local crowd favorite Toshikazu Yamanishi was penalized in the final stages, BTA reports. The 34-year-old Bonfim crossed the finish line first with a time of 1:18.35. He won his second world championship medal in Tokyo after winning silver in the 35km last week.

China's Wang Zhaozhao won silver in 1:18.43, while Spain's Paul McGrath came in two seconds behind to take bronze.

Bonfim led McGrath in the final two kilometres and held on to win Brazil's first world title in men's race walking.
World record holder Toshikazu Yamanishi (Japan) led the way in the second half of the distance and was the favourite to win the title with the support of the local fans, but was given a two-minute penalty for illegal walking and finished 28th in 1:22:39.

In the women's race, Maria Perez won her second gold medal of the world championships with a victory in the 20km, achieving a historic double-double. after successfully defending her title in the 35km last week. The 29-year-old Spaniard finished in 1:25.54, a comfortable 12 seconds ahead of Mexico's Alegna Gonzalez.
To the delight of the crowd at the National Stadium, Nanako Fuji held off an attack from Ecuador's Paula Milena Torres at the finish line to finish third and become the first Japanese woman to win a medal at the championships.

Perez also achieved a double double in the 20km and 35km at the last world championships in Budapest two years ago.