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

The men’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, the full 20km podium from the last edition of these championships, and multiple global medallists.

At the centre of the individual battle is Brazil’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’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’s hopes will be led by world bronze medallist Paul McGrath and Diego García 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’s depth makes them a major force once again.

Sweden’s multiple world medallist Perseus Karlström, winner of the 20km at the last World Race Walking Team Championships and the 35km at the 2022 edition, can never be discounted.

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’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’re able to replicate that depth in Brasilia, they could make it on to the team podium once more.

Australia’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’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’s experience and proven ability to deliver in championship settings make him a formidable contender.

Ethiopia’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.

Turkey’s Salih Korkmaz, fifth over 20km at the 2019 World Championships, is another one to watch.

Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics