Caio Bonfim Secures Historic Gold in 20km Race Walk at World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25

Bonfim Claims First Global Gold in Tokyo

Brazilian athlete Caio Bonfim made history on Saturday, September 20, 2025, by securing his first major global gold medal in the men's 20km race walk at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25. Bonfim crossed the finish line with a winning time of 1:18:35, marking a career-defining achievement in the Japanese capital.

Dramatic Race Unfolds

The race was characterized by a dramatic turn of events. Japan's world record-holder, Toshikazu Yamanishi, initially led for a significant portion of the second half of the event. However, Yamanishi was ultimately hit with a two-minute time penalty, which effectively removed him from contention for a medal. Capitalizing on this development, Bonfim, whose strategy had been to stay close to Yamanishi, took the lead in the final kilometers. He demonstrated a strong finish, overtaking Chinese and Spanish competitors in the last lap to secure his victory.

Podium Finishers and Key Times

Following Bonfim's gold-medal performance, the podium was completed by athletes from China and Spain. Wang Zhaozhao of China earned the silver medal with a time of 1:18:43, while Paul McGrath of Spain secured the bronze, finishing just two seconds behind with 1:18:45. Other notable finishers included Aurélien Quinion (France) in fourth and Gabriel Bordier (France) in fifth.

A Career Milestone for the Brazilian

This gold medal represents a significant milestone for the Brazilian racewalker. Prior to this victory, Bonfim had accumulated an impressive collection of international medals, including two global silver medals and two bronze medals. Just a week before his 20km triumph, he had also claimed a silver medal in the 35km race walk event at the same championships, further solidifying his status as one of the world's elite racewalkers. His win in Tokyo makes him Brazil's most decorated athlete at World Athletics Championships.