WRW Brasília 26 preview: global medallists in men’s marathon battle

A fascinating team battle is in prospect in the men’s marathon at the Caixa World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Brasília 26, with several nations fielding closely matched squads as the discipline makes its championship debut on Sunday (12).

Fifty athletes from 18 federations are set to take to the start line in the Brazilian capital, where the event is being staged for the first time. With each nation’s top three finishers counting towards the team standings, depth could prove decisive over the new distance.

China looks particularly well placed in that regard. The trio of Gao Yanlong, Wang Jinxi and He Xianghong have produced the three fastest performances of the season, led by Gao’s 3:02:50. Wang (3:03:23) and He (3:04:07) have also shown strong early-season form on the domestic circuit, and with all three capable of finishing well inside the top 10, China may be the team to beat.

However, with the marathon race walk replacing the former 35km and 50km events, several of the sport’s most decorated athletes have yet to test themselves over the new distance, adding an extra layer of unpredictability to the event.

Japan, silver medallists in the team standings at the last edition over 20km, once again field a balanced line-up led by Hayato Katsuki. The world 35km bronze medallist owns a lifetime best of 2:55:28 and, although he finished sixth over the half marathon distance at the Japanese Championships earlier this season, he is expected to peak for this event. He is supported by Kazuya Iwai and Subaru Ishida, both of whom have shown solid domestic form and could play a crucial role in the team standings.

Germany will look to challenge with an experienced and in-form squad. Christopher Linke, currently ranked fifth in the world, finished third at the Dudinská 50 in March in a personal best of 3:05:44. In the same race, Karl Junghannß placed second in 3:04:33, the fourth-fastest time recorded this season, underlining his strong form. Alongside emerging talent Johannes Frenzl, Germany has both experience and depth to contend for team honours.

Italy’s hopes will largely rest on the experience of Massimo Stano, the Olympic 20km champion in 2021 and world record-holder over 35km. While Stano has yet to record a mark over the new marathon distance, his championship pedigree makes him a major factor. He is joined by Riccardo Orsoni, a consistent performer on the international circuit and national champion, forming part of a team capable of challenging for the podium if they adapt well to the distance.

The winners of the team title in 2024 over 20km, Spain, will aim to remain in contention. José Manuel Pérez, the 2021 European U23 champion, has set a mark of 3:09:52 this season, while Daniel Chamosa brings valuable championship experience, including a sixth-place finish at last year’s World Championships over 35km. As in previous editions, Spain’s strength may lie in collective performance rather than individual dominance.

Among the individual contenders, Sweden’s Perseus Karlström could also have a significant impact on the race. The multiple global medallist, who has won at the past two editions of this event – over 20km in 2024 and 35km in 2022, has already impressed this season, winning over the half marathon distance in Dudince and clocking 3:04:50 for the marathon, suggesting he has adapted well to the longer format.

France’s Aurélien Quinion adds further depth to the field. A regular presence at major championships, he has shown consistent form in recent seasons and will look to guide his team into contention. World 35km champion Evan Dunfee will compete in the half marathon, where the Canadian team has greater depth to challenge for the podium, rather than the marathon.

Annika Saunus for World Athletics