Japan’s Katsuki dominates to secure individual and team marathon titles in Brasilia

Japan’s Hayato Katsuki delivered a commanding performance to win the marathon race walk at the Caixa World Athletics Race Walking Championships Brasilia 26 on Sunday (12), claiming the inaugural title over the newly introduced distance in 3:04:58.

Ecuador’s Pan American Games champion David Hurtado produced a strong finish to take the silver medal in 3:05:57, securing his first podium place at a senior global event. Japan’s Kazuya Iwai followed closely behind to claim bronze.

Japan comfortably secured top spot in the team standings, with Subaru Ishida as the third to score coming in ninth place. Italy finished second thanks to a consistent team performance, led by 35km world record-holder Massimo Stano in fifth, followed by Riccardo Orsoni in seventh and Andrea Agrusti in eighth.

Spain, winners of the team title in 2024, claimed bronze, with Manuel Bermudez, Daniel Chamosa and Jose Manuel Perez all finishing in the top 16.

From the outset, it was clear that Katsuki was in a class of his own, marching away from the field soon after the starting gun sounded. The world bronze medallist covered the opening kilometre in 4:20 and quickly established a decisive gap.

By the 50-minute mark, he had built a lead of more than 90 seconds – a margin that grew even further as the race progressed. Italy’s Orsoni briefly emerged as the closest pursuer, but he was later overtaken by Hurtado and Iwai.

Katsuki had employed similarly bold tactics at last year’s World Championships before he was caught in the closing stages of the 35km. Here in Brasilia, though, his tactics paid off and he eventually crossed the line almost a minute ahead of the rest of the field.

"My strategy for this race was to give it all in order to have a head start over the other competitors from the beginning," said Katsuki. "I started hard and then I just kept managing my pace. I am very happy with our collective effort and the team gold."

Sweden’s Perseus Karlström, winner of the 20km at these championships in 2024 and the 35km in 2022, fell ill after arriving in Brasilia and did not make it to the start line.

Annika Saunus for World Athletics