World Athletics is saddened to hear that 1983 world discus champion Imrich Bug&aacute;r died on 8 April at the age of 70.
One of the leading discus throwers of his era, Bug&aacute;r enjoyed a distinguished career representing Czechoslovakia in the late 1970s and 1980s, highlighted by his victory at the inaugural World Championships in Helsinki in 1983, where he won gold with 67.72m.
Bug&aacute;r established himself among the world&rsquo;s best in the late 1970s. He claimed Olympic silver at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow and went on to win the European title in Athens in 1982, a season in which he was also named Czechoslovakia&rsquo;s Sportsperson of the Year.
Born in Ohrady, in what is now Slovakia, on 14 April 1955, Bug&aacute;r was a dominant force domestically, winning multiple national titles across more than a decade. He set a personal best of 71.26m in 1985 &ndash; the best throw in the world that year, and a mark that remains the Czech record. At the time, it placed him equal third on the world all-time list.
Widely regarded as one of the most consistent discus throwers of his generation, he represented his country at every World Championships between 1983 and 1993, and at the Olympic Games in 1980, 1988 and 1992. He missed the 1984 Games due to the boycott of the Eastern Bloc nations, denying him the opportunity to contend for another Olympic medal.
He also made a significant contribution to the sport as a coach, guiding compatriot Robert Změl&iacute;k to Olympic decathlon gold at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona while competing at the same Games himself.
After retiring from competition in the mid-1990s, Bug&aacute;r remained involved in athletics and public life, and he continued to be recognised as one of the great figures in Czech and Slovak track and field history.
World Athletics

Imrich Bugár, 1955-2026

1983 world discus champion Bugár dies

Wizz Air, Central and Eastern Europe&rsquo;s leading airline, has been announced as the Official Airline Partner for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, bringing its reach and momentum to one of the most exciting new events in global sport.&nbsp;
Taking place from 11-13 September in Budapest, the groundbreaking championship will see Wizz Air play a central role in powering transportation logistics &ndash; helping the world&rsquo;s best athletes arrive ready to compete at the highest level.&nbsp;
Adding to the excitement, every ultimate champion will receive travel vouchers, opening the door to destinations across the airline&rsquo;s extensive network. The partnership was officially signed at Wizz Air&rsquo;s headquarters in central Budapest.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re delighted to be announcing Wizz Air as the official airline for the first-ever World Athletics Ultimate Championship,&rdquo; said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. &ldquo;This event will put the best athletes in the world front and centre. We&rsquo;re pleased that Hungary&rsquo;s largest airline will be playing a significant role in the success of the Ultimate as it comes to Budapest.&rdquo;
Bal&aacute;zs F&uuml;rjes, the co-chair of the organising committee emphasised: &ldquo;Budapest is a global sport capital. The passionate, sport-loving Hungarian fans have witnessed 30 major international competitions of 25 summer Olympic sports in the last seven years, and we are delighted to host the pioneering Ultimate Championship, welcoming the best of the best athletes in the world. We proudly share this historic moment with Wizz Air, Central and Eastern Europe&rsquo;s No.1 airline.&rdquo;
With a fleet of more than 260 aircraft and a network spanning over 1,000 routes to nearly 200 airports, Wizz Air connects tens of millions of passengers across Europe and beyond. Since its first flight in 2004, the airline has carried more than 500 million passengers, continuing its mission to make travel more accessible through safe, efficient and reliable service.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We are incredibly proud to partner with the World Athletics Ultimate Championship and the local organising committee as the official airline of this landmark event,&rdquo; said Silvia Mosquera, Commercial Officer at Wizz Air. &ldquo;As an airline committed to connecting people, we&rsquo;re excited to help bring the world&rsquo;s best athletes to our home city of Budapest. This partnership reflects our dedication to excellence, connectivity, positivity and inspiring energy &ndash; values shared by both Wizz Air and this world‑class competition, especially in how we reach and energize global audiences. Let&rsquo;s WIZZ!&rdquo;
The World Athletics Ultimate Championship is set to transform the athletics calendar and define which athlete is the best of the very best every two years &ndash;&nbsp;pitting world champions, Olympic champions, the Diamond League winners and this year&rsquo;s best performing athletes against each other to crown the champion of champions.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&bull; Global championship event: Launching in 2026, the championship will take place every two years and serve as a grand conclusion to the track and field season.&nbsp;
&bull; Compact format: A three-day event, with each evening session packed with semi-finals and finals for track disciplines, and straight finals for field disciplines.&nbsp;
&bull; Elite athlete participation: Featuring 8-16 of the world's top-ranked athletes per discipline, with selections based primarily on world rankings. Approaching 400 athletes from about 70 countries will compete, representing the pinnacle of global athletic talent.&nbsp;

World Athletics Ultimate Championship

Wizz Air has been announced as the Official Airline Partner for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship

Wizz Air jets in as Official Airline Partner for Ultimate Championship 

Home hope Viviane Lyra and Ecuador&rsquo;s Paula Torres will form part of an intriguing women&rsquo;s marathon clash at the Caixa World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Bras&iacute;lia 26 on Sunday (12).
More than 40 athletes from 13 federations are entered for the event, which makes its World Athletics Series event debut in Brazil. Some of the leading names will be racing for the first time over this new distance, which will be contested on a 2km loop course in the Brazilian capital.
<div><a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-race-walking-team-championshi/brasilia26/where-to-watch" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/69d90ef75e2d07eb4b859bd9.jpg" alt="WRW Brasilia 26 where to watch" /></a></div>
Much attention will be on Lyra, the South American 20km race walk champion who set an area best of 3:24:54 when making her marathon race walk debut in Dublin in December. That makes her the fastest among the entrants when it comes to PBs and she also brings great championship experience &ndash; the 32-year-old finished fourth in the 35km and eighth in the 20km at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest before repeating that double in Tokyo last year, placing 12th in the 20km and 13th in the 35km.&nbsp;
Among those joining her on the Brazilian team are two-time South American medallist Gabriela de Sousa and Mayara Luize Vicentainer, who step up to the marathon for the first time as they all look to make an impact on the team standings on home roads. De Sousa started her year with a half marathon win in 1:45:09 in Bras&iacute;lia, while Vicentainer has raced the shorter distance twice so far this year, her best being 1:44:43 in Timb&oacute; last month.
Torres leads an Ecuadorian team looking to follow in the footsteps of individual champion Glenda Morej&oacute;n and the squad that secured the 35km team title for the nation in 2022.&nbsp;
Torres clinched world 35km bronze and finished fourth in the 20km at the World Championships in Tokyo last year. She was fifth in the 20km at the last edition of the World Race Walking Team Championships in Antalya two years ago and has tested herself in the half marathon twice this year, winning the national title and then finishing fourth in Dudince in a PB of 1:36:18.
She will line up alongside her teammates Magaly Bonilla, Johana Ord&oacute;&ntilde;ez and Karla Jaramillo, who were all part of the Ecuadorian squad that secured 35km team success in 2022, plus Nataly Le&oacute;n. Bonilla clocked 3:34:11 for the marathon last year, while Le&oacute;n won the national title in 3:36:29 in February.
Italy&rsquo;s 2019 world 50km race walk bronze medallist Eleonora Giorgi also makes her marathon race walk debut. Joined by Sofia Fiorini, the 21-year-old who set a European best of 3:27:19 to win the national title in January, they will be seeking a strong team performance alongside 2022 European 35km race walk fourth-place finisher Federica Curiazzi.
China top the entry list with five of the six fastest athletes so far this year and they will be powerful team contenders. Xi Ricuo leads the way after her 3:25:38 performance to finish third at the Chinese Race Walking Grand Prix in Taicang last month. Sangdan Quzhen (3:26:25), Zhang Jiahui (3:27:29), Asian Race Walking Championships silver medallist Li Yanhong (3:28:24) and Li Xinyu (3:28:49) filled the next four spots in that race and will want to build on those results in Bras&iacute;lia to win another team title after the nation&rsquo;s 50km team win in 2018 and multiple 20km team victories.
National champion Manju Rani leads the Indian team after clocking 3:33:24 in February, while 2021 world U20 champion Sof&iacute;a Ramos Rodr&iacute;guez is back in action for Mexico after winning in Dudince in 3:35:37.
Jess Whittington for World Athletics

Caixa World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Brasilia 26

Expected highlights in the women's marathon at the World Race Walking Team Championships in Brasília

WRW Brasília 26 preview: Lyra and Torres among major medallists set for marathon clash

A fascinating team battle is in prospect in the men&rsquo;s marathon at the Caixa World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Bras&iacute;lia 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&rsquo;s top three finishers counting towards the team standings, depth could prove decisive over the new distance.
<div><a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-race-walking-team-championshi/brasilia26/where-to-watch" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/69d90ef75e2d07eb4b859bd9.jpg" alt="WRW Brasilia 26 where to watch" /></a></div>
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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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 Dudinsk&aacute; 50 in March in a personal best of 3:05:44. In the same race, Karl Junghann&szlig; 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&rsquo;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. Jos&eacute; Manuel P&eacute;rez, 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&rsquo;s World Championships over 35km. As in previous editions, Spain&rsquo;s strength may lie in collective performance rather than individual dominance.
Among the individual contenders, Sweden&rsquo;s Perseus Karlstr&ouml;m could also have a significant impact on the race. The multiple global medallist, who has won at the past two editions of this event &ndash; 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&rsquo;s Aur&eacute;lien 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

Expected highlights in the men's marathon at the World Race Walking Team Championships in Brasília

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

By the time Mykolas Alekna came to take his fourth-round effort in the 2025 Oklahoma Throws Series World Invitational, he had already put Ramona on the global athletics map.
It had been there, in the backwater town (population 524) just off US Highway 75, that the Lithuanian discus prodigy consigned the oldest men&rsquo;s track and field world record to history &ndash; during the 2024 edition of the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meeting. At the tender age of 21, Alekna hurled his disc 74.35m &ndash; surpassing the 74.08m that J&uuml;rgen Schult had thrown at the East German European Championships Trials in Neubrandenburg in 1986.
It was the one achievement that his father, the great Virgilijus Alekna, had not quite managed to accomplish in a stellar career in which he bagged two world and two Olympic gold medals. Virgilijus&rsquo; best mark, long-time No.2 on the world all-time list, was 73.88m.
Mykolas managed to eclipse his own world record with his opening effort of the 2025 Oklahoma Throws meeting: 74.89m. That made it two global marks in the space of 12 months in the tranquil setting of Millican Field, with just a handful of coaches, athletes and throws aficionados in attendance.
Then, in round four, Alekna Jr. stepped into the circle to put himself and Ramona &ndash; Throw Town, or Throwklahoma, as it has been dubbed &ndash; into the track and field history books again. Wearing the white University of California Berkeley vest he has generously donated to the Museum of World Athletics, Mykolas orchestrated a potent blend of balletic speed, balanced technique and sheer power, catching the wind with a throw that winged out to 75.56m.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/69d64e60fb5bbdfe2922901d.jpg" alt="The vest Mykolas Alekna has donated to the Museum of World Athletics" />
<div>
The vest Mykolas Alekna has donated to the Museum of World Athletics (&copy; MOWA)
</div>
</div>
At the age of 22, he had become the first man to throw beyond 75 metres &ndash; 49 years after Mac Wilkins breached the 70-metre barrier.
&ldquo;Going into that competition, I wasn&rsquo;t thinking about breaking the world record,&rdquo; Alekna told the audience at US Throws Clinic, an interview carried on the Throw University YouTube channel. &ldquo;I was just going there to have a good time. Of course, I knew I was capable of setting a world record, but it was more about executing all the technical elements of the throw. I think the reason I was able to achieve it was that I was just having a good time. I didn&rsquo;t feel any pressure to set a world record.&rdquo;
At the time, Alekna was finishing his degree in psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. An erudite, contemplative soul, his chilled approach has also been heavily influenced by his father.
&ldquo;I think the biggest lesson I learned from my dad was staying calm,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s a really calm guy. I think I learned that mindset from him &ndash; not taking everything seriously, just be relaxed, even at the moments when the pressure is high.&rdquo;
It also helped in Ramona on 13 April last year that Throw Town provided Virgilijus&rsquo; youngest son with an ideal platform. Millican Field is an open setting, with throwing circles set in varying directions to maximise prevailing air currents. Another key factor was the strength of the competition.
At the same venue three days previously, Matt Denny had thrown 74.25m, just 10 centimetres short of Alekna&rsquo;s first world record. In the main competition, the Australian who took Olympic bronze behind Jamaica&rsquo;s Roje Stona and Alekna in Paris in 2024 improved his Oceania record to 74.78m, consolidating his new-found No.2 spot on the world all-time list.
<blockquote>
The list of multiple best winning throws by an individual is dominated by the Aleknas. Mykolas and Virgilijus are responsible for: 5 of the top 12: Mykolas 4, Virgilijus 1 7 of the top 25: Mykolas 5, Virgilijus 2 10 of the top 50: Mykolas 7, Virgilijus 3 24 of the top 100: Mykolas 11, Virgilijus 13. 34 of the 160 winning throws beyond 70 metres: Mykolas 14, Virgilijus 20
</blockquote>
Mykolas may dominate the sharp end, with three of the top four throws in history, but his long-term ambition is to match his dad&rsquo;s depth. &ldquo;I want to be more consistent, with more throws over 72 metres, 71 metres, 70 metres,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;d like 70 metres to become automatic.&rdquo;
In breaking the world record twice in the same afternoon, Alekna echoed Wilkins&rsquo; barrier-breaking heroics of 1976. Just a month after setting a global mark of 69.18m at the Mt. SAC Relays, the Oregonian reeled off three in a row at the San Jose Invitational: 69.80m, 70.24m and 70.86m.
It just so happens that Alekna has chosen to follow in Wilkins&rsquo; footsteps by serving his final year of collegiate availability at the University of Oregon. Wilkins was recruited to the mighty Ducks by Bill Bowerman, the legendary distance running guru and co-founder of Nike.
He went on to win the Olympic discus title in Montreal in his golden summer of 1976 but the University of Oregon discus record he set three years earlier, 64.77m, no longer stands intact. Instead, during the 2026 collegiate season, Alekna will need to better the 65.88m thrown in 1983 by one Dean Crouser &ndash; uncle of the behemoth of the shot put, Ryan Crouser.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/64e0da44692c8a75f5d08a0e.jpg" alt="Mykolas Alekna at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22" />
<div>
Mykolas Alekna at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 (&copy; Getty Images)
</div>
</div>
Alekna&rsquo;s new college coach at Hayward Field is Brian Blutreich, a US Olympic teammate of Dean&rsquo;s brother, javelin thrower Brian Crouser, in Barcelona in 1992. Blutreich finished 25th in the discus qualifying round in the Catalan capital. His stable of Ducks throwers includes Jorinde van Klinken, the Dutch athlete who took women&rsquo;s discus silver behind Valarie Allman at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25.
Alekna, who was coached at Berkeley by Mo Saatara, will continue to be guided at home by his long-term coach, Mantas Jusis, who had two throwers in the men&rsquo;s discus final in the Japanese capital last year. Martynas, Mykolas&rsquo; 25-year-old brother, finished seventh with 63.34m. With a PB of 67.23m, he has the potential to become the third Alekna to join the 70 metre club.
Mykolas started his athletics life following in the footsteps of his mother Kristina, as a would-be long jumper. He was only 19 when he emulated his dad with European discus gold in Munich.
Four years on, at 23, he has three World Championships medals (silver from 2022 and 2025 and bronze from 2023) and Olympic silver from Paris in 2024.
His father was 28 when he won the first of his Olympic gold medals, in Sydney in 2000, and 32 when he claimed the second, in Athens four years later. And Virgilijus was 31 when he won his first world title, in Paris in 2003, and 33 when he secured his second, in Helsinki in 2005.
So, as well as a man mountain of natural talent, young Mykolas has time on his side yet to match the mighty discus deeds of his boyhood idol, his Lithuanian legend of a father.
Simon Turnbull for World Athletics Heritage 
<div><a href="https://tinyurl.com/visitMOWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6885f79e982e117f1338cb26.jpg" alt="MOWA banner" /></a>
<div>
&nbsp;
</div>
</div>

By the time Mykolas Alekna came to take his fourth-round effort in the 2025 Oklahoma Throws Series World Invitational, he had already put Ramona on the global athletics map

Alekna's history in Ramona – discus prodigy donates vest to MOWA

Australia&rsquo;s Isaac Beacroft will head to the Caixa World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Brasilia 26 as the defending champion and pre-event favourite in the U20 men&rsquo;s 10km.
Beacroft made headlines two years ago when, aged just 16, he claimed victory to end a streak of four consecutive Chinese wins in this event. He now has the opportunity to become just the second athlete in the history of the championships to successfully defend the U20 men&rsquo;s title.
<div><a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-race-walking-team-championshi/brasilia26/where-to-watch" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/69d90ef75e2d07eb4b859bd9.jpg" alt="WRW Brasilia 26 where to watch" /></a></div>
He arrives in Bras&iacute;lia in formidable form, having put together a string of five domestic victories. That run includes a standout 38:02.68 performance over 10,000m in December, taking 44 seconds off a world U20 record that had stood for 25 years.
With a 10km road best of 38:55, Beacroft is not only the fastest U20 entrant in the field but also the fifth fastest U20 performer in history.
Compatriots John Ronan and Owen Toyne add depth to the squad which could prove crucial in the team standings, where Australia will be aiming to improve on the bronze medals they earned in 2014, 2018 and 2024.
China, meanwhile, will once again pose a major threat both individually and collectively. Pu Huajia, Shi Chengxi and Zhang Haoze have all come close to breaking the 40-minute barrier already this year and hold the fastest season&rsquo;s bests in the field.
Japan have also shown consistent strength at this level, claiming team medals at three of the past four editions. Their challenge in Bras&iacute;lia will be led by Toshiya Inoue, winner of the national trial race, alongside Ryuta Tainaka and Daichi Yamada, forming another well-balanced squad with podium ambitions.
Europe&rsquo;s leading individual contender could be France&rsquo;s Clement Rabreau, who will be looking to make amends after his disqualification at last year&rsquo;s European U20 Championships.
Italy, team silver medallists in 2022, will also be targeting another podium finish. Alessio Coppola, sixth at last year&rsquo;s European U20 Championships and the fastest U20 performer this year over 5000m indoors, is joined by Nicolo Vidal and Christian Cecchetto.
Other contenders include Mexico&rsquo;s Emiliano Barba, the world U20 silver medallist and Pan-American U20 champion, Ireland&rsquo;s Seamus Clarke, the European U18 silver medallist who won the U20 race in Dudince last month, and Spanish duo Cesar Hidalgo and Pablo Zarate.
Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics

Expected highlights in the U20 men's 10km at the World Race Walking Team Championships in Brasília

WRW Brasília 26 preview: Beacroft eyes back-to-back U20 titles

There is a sense of the unknown heading into the women&rsquo;s half marathon at the Caixa World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Brasilia 26, as the new senior distance makes its championship debut in the Brazilian capital on Sunday (12).
With 74 athletes from 28 federations set to take on the one-kilometre loop course, the race not only marks the first time this competition is staged in South America and the Southern Hemisphere, but also offers an early indication of which athletes are adapting quickest to the slightly longer distance.
<div><a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-race-walking-team-championshi/brasilia26/where-to-watch" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/69d90ef75e2d07eb4b859bd9.jpg" alt="WRW Brasilia 26 where to watch" /></a></div>
Among those leading the entries is Peru&rsquo;s Kimberly Garc&iacute;a, the double world champion from 2022 and winner of the 20km at these championships in 2024. Garc&iacute;a has made a strong start to 2026, setting a personal best of 1:34:17 at the Dudinsk&aacute; 50 in March, where she finished second. She arrives in Bras&iacute;lia as a clear medal contender.
Another Peruvian to watch is Evelyn Inga, who achieved a surprise victory in Dudince with a personal and South American best of 1:33:49. With the top three finishers from each nation counting towards the team result, Peru will also have their sights set on the team title after missing out on countback in 2024.
China, winners of the team title two years ago, once again fields formidable depth. Ji Haiying leads the entries with her 1:32:22 clocking in Taicang in March, and is closely followed by compatriots Guo Na (1:32:24) and Dou Maocuo (1:32:27). With five of the six fastest entrants, China&rsquo;s collective strength makes them strong favourites in the team standings.
Spain&rsquo;s Ant&iacute;a Chamosa is another athlete in form. The 26-year-old won the Spanish title earlier this year with a PB of 1:33:45. She has demonstrated steady progression in recent years, placing seventh over 20km at least year&rsquo;s World Championships, and will look to carry that consistency into the new distance.
Poland&rsquo;s Katarzyna Zdziebło, double world silver medallist in 2022, brings significant championship experience. She has not yet registered a mark for the half marathon distance, but her ability to deliver in tactical championship races makes her a serious contender.
Australia will be led by Rebecca Henderson, who claimed the national title with a personal best of 1:32:25 just weeks ago, making her one of the fastest women in the field. Teammate Olivia Sandery, second at those championships in 1:34:09, adds further depth and could play an important role in both the individual and team contests.
Other athletes to watch include Mexico&rsquo;s Alejandra Ortega, who finished third in Dudince, and France&rsquo;s Pauline Stey, 10th in the world rankings. Still relatively new to the global stage, she has shown the ability to compete with more established names and will be aiming to break into the leading group.
Italy&rsquo;s Nicole Colombi has entered both the half marathon and marathon race walk events but has yet to decide which distance she will contest.
Notably absent from the field are Spain&rsquo;s double world champion Mar&iacute;a P&eacute;rez and Italy&rsquo;s 2021 Olympic champion Antonella Palmisano, leaving the door open for new names to step on to the podium over the newly established distance.
Annika Saunus for World Athletics

Expected highlights in the women's half marathon at the World Race Walking Team Championships in Brasília

WRW Brasília 26 preview: García, Inga and Zdziebło target women’s half marathon honours

The men&rsquo;s half marathon at the Caixa World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Brasilia 26 looks set to provide the most thrilling contest of the weekend.
Contested for the first time at a global race walking championships, the half marathon distance has attracted an exceptional line-up, including two world record-holders, both individual world champions from the 2025 World Championships, two of the three members of the 20km podium from the last edition of these championships, and multiple global medallists.
<div><a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-race-walking-team-championshi/brasilia26/where-to-watch" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/69d90ef75e2d07eb4b859bd9.jpg" alt="WRW Brasilia 26 where to watch" /></a></div>
At the centre of the individual battle is Brazil&rsquo;s Caio Bonfim, the world 20km champion who will spearhead the home team. Competing on familiar roads and backed by home support, the Olympic silver medallist started his 2026 campaign with a comfortable half marathon victory in Brasilia. He followed that with a 1:21:44 half marathon PB to place fifth in Kobe in February, then was runner-up in Taicang in 1:23:00 last month.
Japan&rsquo;s Toshikazu Yamanishi, a two-time world champion and the world record-holder for both 20km and the half marathon, will be particularly motivated. After finishing an uncharacteristic 28th at the 2025 World Championships on home soil, he will be looking to reassert himself at the highest level and reclaim the top spot on the podium, having won the 20km at these championships in 2022.
He is supported by a formidable Japanese squad, all of whom are currently in the top 10 in the world rankings and have achieved top-eight finishes at past World Championships: Kento Yoshikawa, the Asian silver medallist who finished seventh at the 2025 World Championships; Tomohiro Noda, sixth over 35km at the 2023 World Championships; and Satoshi Maruo, fourth over 50km at the 2017 World Championships.
That depth makes Japan a clear favourite in the team standings as they seek to reclaim the title they last won in 2018. But the battle for team honours is expected to be intense, with defending champions Spain, along with China and Australia, all capable of mounting serious challenges.
Spain&rsquo;s hopes will be led by world bronze medallist Paul McGrath and Diego Garc&iacute;a Carrera, both of whom finished on the podium in the 20km at the last edition of these championships. With the addition of Alvaro Lopez and 2015 world champion Miguel Angel Lopez, Spain&rsquo;s depth makes them a major force once again.
Italy also arrives with a well-balanced team led by European bronze medallist Francesco Fortunato, who claimed gold in the marathon race walk mixed relay at the last edition of these championships. Fortunato started his year in dazzling form, setting a world record for the 5000m race walk, and is joined by Gianluca Picchiottino, who finished 12th in the 20km at the last edition of these championships.
China&rsquo;s quartet of Zhao Xiangfei, Zhang Xinrui, Ding Shuo and Cui Lihong brings formidable depth, with all four athletes having clocked times well inside 1:24 in Taicang last month. If they&rsquo;re able to replicate that depth in Brasilia, they could make it on to the team podium once more.
Australia&rsquo;s challenge will be led by Commonwealth silver medallist Declan Tingay, who finished eighth over 20km at the 2023 World Championships. He is joined by Rhydian Cowley, the Olympic bronze medallist in the marathon race walk mixed relay, giving Australia both experience and proven championship pedigree.
Canada&rsquo;s Evan Dunfee, the world 35km champion, adds further weight to the field. Although he is working his way back from an off-season injury and has indicated he may not yet be at his peak, Dunfee&rsquo;s experience and proven ability to deliver in championship settings make him a formidable contender.
Ethiopia&rsquo;s African champion Misgana Wakuma, who finished sixth over 20km at the Olympic Games, recently set an African best of 38:04.09 for 10,000m and will be looking to improve on his 10th-place finish from the last edition of these championships.
African 20km record-holder Samuel Gathimba, third at these championships in 2022 and fourth at the World Championships that same year, brings further experience. He is joined on the Kenyan team by 2021 world U20 champion Heristone Wanyonyi Wafula, who returns to competition for the first time since June 2024.
T&uuml;rkiye&rsquo;s Salih Korkmaz, fifth over 20km at the 2019 World Championships, is another one to watch.
Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics

Expected highlights in the men's half marathon at the World Race Walking Team Championships in Brasília

WRW Brasília 26 preview: clash of global titans in men's half marathon

China have won four of the past five team titles in the U20 women&rsquo;s 10km and the strength of their squad indicates that they should challenge again at the Caixa World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Bras&iacute;lia 26&nbsp;on Sunday (12).
They won&rsquo;t start as the defending champions, however, as Spain clinched the crown in Antalya two years ago, becoming only the third nation after China and Russia to win this team title.
<div><a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-race-walking-team-championshi/brasilia26/where-to-watch" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/69d90ef75e2d07eb4b859bd9.jpg" alt="WRW Brasilia 26 where to watch" /></a></div>
But China&rsquo;s team boasts three of the six fastest women in the field and they will each be looking to follow in the footsteps of their compatriot Yang Xizhen who won the individual title at the last edition in 2024.
Wang Yaru leads that trio on times. The 16-year-old won both the U18 5km and 10km events at the Chinese Race Walking Grand Prix in Taicang at the start of March, setting a PB of 44:31 for the longer distance. But it was Yang Yutong who won the U20 title in Taicang and the 19-year-old will want to build on the PB of 44:49 she set that day.
They will be joined in Bras&iacute;lia by 18-year-old Ni Lihua who finished third in that Taicang U20 10km won by Yang, in a PB of 45:24. All three athletes will be making their international debuts.
Chlo&eacute; Le Roch sits at the top of the entry list and heads to Bras&iacute;lia with the benefit of global experience. The 18-year-old set a French U20 record of 44:02 when finishing second at the European Race Walking Team Championships in Poděbrady last year and she was just 14 seconds off that mark when winning a national event in Lens last month. Aged 16, she finished eighth in the 10,000m race walk at the World U20 Championships in Lima in 2024, four months after finishing 18th in the U20 event in Antalya.
Italy&rsquo;s Serena Di Fabio also set a national record at the European Race Walking Team Championships last year, clocking 44:08 to finish one place behind Le Roch. She has gone close to that mark this year, too, winning her national title last month in 44:17. As well as her podium finish in Poděbrady, Di Fabio secured silver on the track at last year&rsquo;s European Championships and the then 16-year-old finished seventh at the last edition of the World Race Walking Team Championships, clinching team bronze for Italy and achieving the leading individual performance by athletes eligible to return for this year&rsquo;s edition.
Suzu Okuno also performed well in Antalya two years ago, finishing 13th in a PB of 46:32. She returns to race for Japan, as part of a squad led by Yuna Uchiyama who set a PB of 44:46 to win the national event in Kobe in February. Harumi Tabata, who was fourth that day, completes the Japanese squad that will also be fighting for the team podium.
Italy could also have strong team prospects, as Di Fabio is joined by Valentina Adamo and Francesca Gloria Buselli who completed the podium at their national championships in respective PBs of 46:48 and 47:02.
Gina Torres leads Spain&rsquo;s team title defence after winning the national U20 crown in a PB of 47:03 in February, while Şerife Berra G&uuml;ven and İpek &Ouml;zkavlak race for T&uuml;rkiye.
Ethiopia&rsquo;s Hiwot Ambaw makes her road debut after racing in the 10,000m race walk at the 2024 World U20 Championships and winning the national title in 46:22.07 at the end of March.
Jess Whittington for World Athletics

Expected highlights in the U20 women's 10km at the World Race Walking Team Championships in Brasília

WRW Brasília 26 preview: Le Roch and Di Fabio lead entries, China aim to regain U20 team title

<h3>Sprint stars to kick off campaign at World Athletics Relays, celebrating five years of Kids&rsquo; Athletics Day</h3>
 Sprint stars Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Letsile Tebogo have been announced as ambassadors for the World Athletics Kids&rsquo; Athletics programme, with just one month to go to Kids&rsquo; Athletics Day on 7 May.
Both athletes will kick off the latest campaign at next month&rsquo;s Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26, celebrating five years of Kids&rsquo; Athletics Day.
Kids&rsquo; Athletics is an initiative that uses the power of athletics to inspire children around the world to be more active. Since its launch, Kids&rsquo; Athletics Day has grown into a truly global celebration, reaching 1.3 million children across schools, clubs and communities. Each year has offered a new theme, a new challenge and new ways to engage children in fun, inclusive and age-appropriate athletics activities.
This year is about celebration and connection. On 7 May, member federations, schools, clubs, coaches, teachers and families are invited to join in celebrating everything Kids&rsquo; Athletics stands for &ndash; movement, learning, inclusion, sustainability and community.
The full campaign will run from 1-30 May, launching at the World Relays in Botswana where Jefferson-Wooden and Tebogo will lead an activation with local children.
USA&rsquo;s Jefferson-Wooden achieved a gold medal treble in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m at the World Championships in Tokyo, while Botswana&rsquo;s Tebogo is the Olympic 200m champion. They have both become role models within the sport and want to use their platforms to further champion athletics, encouraging the next generation to embrace the sport for fun, fitness and personal growth.
Already a Kids&rsquo; Athletics ambassador in 2025, Tebogo is delighted to remain in a role he holds close to his heart.
&ldquo;I am excited to partner with the Kids&rsquo; Athletics programme again, to inspire even more kids to do sport and athletics,&rdquo; said the 22-year-old, who was named World Athlete of the Year in 2024. &ldquo;Sport is incredibly important to me. Athletics helped me stay off the streets and out of trouble, and it has continued to give me so many opportunities. Being involved with Kids&rsquo; Athletics is one of them and I hope to show young people why they should dream big and have fun doing this sport.&rdquo;
Jefferson-Wooden has been involved with numerous young athlete initiatives and is looking forward to taking this next global step, partnering up with Tebogo to continue to inspire future track and field stars.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m truly excited to step into this role as a Kids&rsquo; Athletics ambassador &ndash; an opportunity to inspire the next generation while continuing to learn from them as well. Following the Tokyo World Championships, I had the chance to lead a development session in my hometown, which was incredibly meaningful. It brought me back to where my journey began, surrounded by my village, where I first understood the power of community and support,&rdquo; said the 25-year-old, who claimed two medals &ndash; 4x100m gold and 100m bronze &ndash; at the Paris Olympics.
&ldquo;Experiences like that remind me just how impactful these moments can be. I&rsquo;m looking forward to connecting with young athletes from around the world, showing them that athletics isn&rsquo;t just about competition &ndash; it&rsquo;s about joy, confidence and accessibility for everyone.&rdquo;
As 2026 marks five years of Kids&rsquo; Athletics Day, the campaign has set its biggest goal yet: a cumulative total of more than 2 million children participating over five years. Since 2022, more than 1.3 million kids have joined the fun, and now the aim is to inspire at least 700,000 more to get moving in 2026. Learn more about Kids&rsquo; Athletics Day at <a href="https://www.kidsathleticsday.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kidsathleticsday.org</a>.

World Athletics Relays

Sprint stars Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Letsile Tebogo have been announced as ambassadors for the World Athletics Kids’ Athletics programme

Jefferson-Wooden and Tebogo announced as Kids’ Athletics ambassadors

Shanoya Douglas delivered the standout performances of the CARIFTA Games, which concluded on Monday (6) after three days of action in St George&rsquo;s, Grenada.
The Jamaican sprinter successfully defended her 100m and 200m titles, winning the longer sprint in a world-leading 22.11 (1.9m/s). Not only did it smash Shaunae Miller-Uibo&rsquo;s Games record from 13 years ago, it propelled Douglas to equal third on the world U20 all-time list, tied with sprint legend Allyson Felix.
It also took 0.25 off the Jamaican U20 record Douglas set in Kingston last month and is the fastest ever time by a Caribbean U20 athlete.
Earlier in the Games, Douglas had won the 100m title in 11.13 (-0.8m/s), and she followed that by anchoring Jamaica to victory in the 4x100m in 43.76.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m super proud of myself that I&rsquo;m able to come out here and deliver such amazing performances a week after Champs,&rdquo; said the world U20 200m bronze medallist. &ldquo;I wanted to break the 100m record actually, but I knew I had to leave the CARIFTA Games with a record as it&rsquo;s my final year.&rdquo;
Bermudian sprinter Miles Outerbridge was a surprise winner of the U20 men&rsquo;s 100m title, running a lifetime best of 10.21 to edge the fast-finishing Nyrone Wade (10.27) of Jamaica.
Jamaica&rsquo;s 15-year-old Kai Kelly won the U17 boys&rsquo; 100m final in dramatic fashion. Jayden Goodridge of Trinidad and Tobago led for 85 metres before over-striding and temporarily losing his balance, which allowed Kelly to come through and win in 10.37 to Goodbridge&rsquo;s 10.48.
Guyana ruled supreme in the U20 400m finals. Following four faulty starts in the U20 women&rsquo;s final due to a system failure, Tianna Springer won her fourth consecutive 400m title across the age groups, clocking 52.47.
In the U20 men&rsquo;s final, Springer&rsquo;s teammate Malachi Austin prevailed in a thrilling homestretch battle against the spirited Bahamian Zion Davis, 46.01 to 46.18.
&ldquo;In last year&rsquo;s final, a Bahamian (Zion Miller) jumped me and I panicked and didn&rsquo;t react,&rdquo; said Austin. &ldquo;This year was about being patient and reacting accordingly, so I when I saw him (Davis) come off the turn before me, I said, &lsquo;this is it, let&rsquo;s go&rsquo;.&rdquo;
Springer and Austin later teamed up in the mixed 4x400m &ndash; in what was their third race within a day &ndash; to retain their title and smash their own Games record with 3:20.79.
A year after placing fifth, Jamaica&rsquo;s Shameika McLean gained redemption by winning the U17 girls&rsquo; 400m final in 52.47. In McLean&rsquo;s wake were co-favourites Keyezra Thomas of The Bahamas (52.58) and defending champion Tyra Fenton (Antigua &amp; Barbuda), who claimed bronze in 52.62.
&ldquo;I feel amazing,&rdquo; said McLean. &ldquo;I had stiff competition in this race, it was good and I executed properly.&rdquo;
Fenton then stepped down in distance and found immediate success, winning the U17 100m and 200m titles in 11.30 (-0.5m/s) and 23.39 (-2.5m/s) respectively.
Jamaica showcased its strength in the sprint hurdles by sweeping all eight finals with Mark-Daniel Allen&rsquo;s record-setting 13.25 in the U17 boys' 110m hurdles being the highlight.
In the U20 women&rsquo;s 1500m final, Barbadian Ashlyn Simmons outsmarted the field by launching an early kick that allowed her to build an insurmountable lead and win in 4:36.94. Despite a strong effort from Jamaica's Kevon-Gaye Fowler (4:37.39) to close an 80-metre gap, she could not overhaul the long-time leader.
The Bahamians came to life in the U17 4x100m relays with two resounding victories. First, the girls combined speed and efficiency to set a Games record of 44.21. Inspired by their success, the Bahamian U17 boys kept the excitement going for their fans by winning gold in 41.36.
A polished quartet from Trinidad and Tobago claimed victory in the U20 men&rsquo;s 4x100m in 39.64.
Elsewhere, Jamaica&rsquo;s Joseph Salmon threw 65.38m to win gold in the U20 men&rsquo;s discus, while Trinidad and Tobago&rsquo;s Tyrique Vincent broke his own Games record in the U20 men&rsquo;s decathlon with 6824.
Barbados brought the curtains down on the championships by winning the U20 men&rsquo;s 4x400m in a Games record of 3:05.49.
Jamaica continued its dominance of the Games, topping the table with 71 medals, including 28 gold, 27 silver and 16 bronze &ndash; its 48th title since the competition began in 1972. Trinidad and Tobago finished second with nine gold, 11 silver and 15 bronze medals, while The Bahamas placed third with eight gold, 12 silver and 10 bronze.
Noel Francis for World Athletics

Shanoya Douglas delivered the standout performances of the CARIFTA Games, which concluded on Monday (6) after three days of action in St George’s, Grenada.

Douglas completes CARIFTA sprint triple with record-breaking 22.11

<h3>Athens emerges as preferred host for inaugural edition; Athens Marathon The Authentic achieves Elite Label status as plan launches to secure hosting rights</h3>
&nbsp;
World Athletics has outlined a landmark strategic roadmap for the future of distance running with the creation of a World Athletics Marathon Championships from 2030.&nbsp;
The marathon will remain a discipline at the World Athletics Championships in 2027 and 2029, but from 2030 it will move to its own standalone championships. From 2031 onwards, the marathon &ndash; or any other road running distance &ndash; will no longer form part of the World Athletics Championships.&nbsp;
The World Marathon Championships will become an annual event, with men and women competing in alternate years &ndash; the same frequency as the current World Championships marathon. It is a championship conceived in close partnership with those who have made the marathon the global phenomenon it is today, with full details of those partnerships to be announced in the coming months.&nbsp;
The World Athletics Road Running Championships will continue to take place as a separate annual event.&nbsp;
As part of this new direction, World Athletics has confirmed the opening of formal exploratory discussions for Athens to host the inaugural World Athletics Marathon Championships in 2030.&nbsp;
World Athletics and the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), with the cooperation of the Region of Attica, have also agreed a strategic partnership to elevate the Athens Marathon The Authentic to the highest tier of global road racing.&nbsp;
The race has been awarded Elite Label status, recognising its unique place in sporting history and its long-term potential within the international calendar.&nbsp;
This partnership marks the beginning of an ambitious multi-year investment programme designed to modernise the original Olympic course while preserving its 2500-year heritage.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We are delighted to be exploring the possibility of a standalone World Marathon Championships with Athens &ndash; the place where this iconic discipline was born,&rdquo; said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Few events in sport carry the weight and resonance of the marathon; it is both a test of the very highest performance and a celebration of mass participation. This is an opportunity to create a dedicated global celebration of marathon running, held in a setting that honours its heritage while shaping a modern championship that reflects the scale and spirit of the global running community,&rdquo; added Coe.
&ldquo;The marathon is one of the most universal events in sport, and Athens is its spiritual home,&rdquo; said World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon during a press conference in Athens on Tuesday (7). &ldquo;Exploring the possibility of a future standalone World Marathon Championships here reflects our ambition to bring the sport&rsquo;s greatest global showcase back to where it all began. This roadmap ensures the event meets the rigorous technical and operational standards required for the world&rsquo;s most prestigious stage.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h3>A new standard for the 'Authentic' experience</h3>
Having achieved Elite Label status, Athens is targeting a Platinum Label &ndash; the highest tier in road racing &ndash; by 2029, placing it alongside the world&rsquo;s most elite marathons.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Today, we invite the world to join us on a journey. This is more than a race; it is a commitment to excellence. An upgrade that would not have been possible without the valuable support of the Region of Attica, an institutional partner of SEGAS, and its Governor, Nikos Hardalias. This marks a new path of extroversion that our federation is now following,&rdquo; said SEGAS President Sofia Sakorafa.
&ldquo;We are investing in the future of every runner who steps on to the road from Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium, ensuring they receive a world-class experience that honours the legend of this course. Our 2026 edition serves as the first milestone in this transformation.&rdquo;
The Attica Governor, Nikos Hardalias, praised the cooperation between SEGAS and the region and referred to Attica&rsquo;s initiatives aimed at establishing Athens as the global capital of the marathon.
"Today&rsquo;s announcement reflects the systematic and targeted effort we have made over recent months, in close and meaningful collaboration with Hellenic Athletics (SEGAS) and its president, Sofia Sakorafa," said Hardalias.
&ldquo;Together, we worked with a clear plan, determination, and consistency, strengthening our international presence in order to reposition Attica on the global marathon map &ndash; not only as a point of historical reference, but as a modern, dynamic metropolitan destination of international standing.&nbsp;
&ldquo;In this context, we are proceeding, using resources from the Region of Attica, with the redevelopment and modernisation of the Authentic Marathon Route, investing in its quality, safety, functionality, and international recognition.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Our commitment is clear: to restore Attica not only as the birthplace of the Marathon, but as its global capital," added Hardalias.&nbsp;
<h3>2026 registration and alignment&nbsp;</h3>
As part of its transition to a global-tier event, the Athens Marathon &ndash; which will be held this year on 8 November &ndash; is aligning its registration structure with World Athletics' Elite standards. This investment supports the expanded medical, safety and participant services required for its new status.&nbsp;
World Athletics&nbsp;

Athens emerges as preferred host for inaugural edition; Athens Marathon The Authentic achieves Elite Label status as plan launches to secure hosting rights 

Yang claims U20 women's individual and team honours in Brasilia

Pu dominates U20 men's race in Brasilia

Gout runs world U20 200m record of 19.67 in Sydney

Historic stage set for Caixa World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Brasília 26

Denny and Richter reach 74 metres in Ramona