World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025: Day One round-up, five titles claimed

The World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 launched in spectacular fashion on Saturday, September 13, with five gold medals awarded across a thrilling opening day. Evan Dunfee and Maria Perez lit up the morning session with victories in the 35km race walk events, while the evening session saw Ryan Crouser reclaim his dominance in shot put, Beatrice Chebet add the 10,000m crown to her Olympic title, and Team USA storm to mixed 4x400m relay gold in front of a 56,000-strong sell-out crowd.

Who won the men’s 35km race walk?

Canada’s Evan Dunfee delivered a career-defining moment by winning his first global title in the men’s 35km race walk, clocking 2:28:22. Despite battling severe cramps in the closing stages, the 33-year-old held firm to finish half a minute ahead of Brazil’s Caio Bonfim (2:28:55).

Canada's Evan Dunfee (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

The home fans erupted as Japan’s Hayato Katsuki secured bronze in 2:29:16, earning the host nation its first medal of the championships. This marks a full-circle moment for Dunfee, who won Olympic bronze in Tokyo four years ago and now returns to the same city as a world champion.

Recommended: Evan Dunfee makes history as world champion in 35km race walk

How did Maria Perez retain her title?

Spain’s Maria Perez continued her dominance in women’s race walking by retaining her 35km world title in commanding fashion. Perez crossed the line in 2:39:01, three minutes clear of Olympic champion Antonella Palmisano of Italy (2:42:24).

Ecuador’s Paula Torres secured bronze in a national record of 2:42:44. The Spaniard, who completed a golden double in Budapest 2023, is targeting the same feat in Tokyo with the 20km race walk still to come.

Why Ryan Crouser’s comeback was special

World record-holder Ryan Crouser marked his first competition in a year with a powerful statement: his third world shot put title. After being sidelined with an elbow injury for the entire season, the American threw 22.34m to clinch gold, beating Mexico’s Uziel Munoz, who claimed silver with a national record of 21.97m.

Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri edged out New Zealand’s Tom Walsh for bronze on countback, both throwing 21.94m. Crouser’s return reaffirmed his reputation as one of the greatest throwers in athletics history.

What made Beatrice Chebet’s 10,000m win historic?

Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet confirmed her status as the queen of distance running, winning her first world 10,000m title in 30:37.61. The Olympic champion and world record-holder unleashed a blistering final-lap kick to outpace Italy’s Nadia Battocletti, who clocked a national record of 30:38.23 for silver.

Related Article: Beatrice Chebet Crowned 2024 Female Athlete of the Year by US Athletics Outlet

Defending champion Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia finished with bronze in 30:39.65. Chebet’s triumph marks a golden treble in the discipline, Olympic, world record, and now world champion.

How did the USA dominate the mixed 4x400m relay?

Team USA successfully defended their mixed 4x400m relay title, clocking 3:08.80, equalling their championship record from 2023. Anchored by a clinical performance, the Americans crossed the line well clear of the Netherlands (3:09.96), anchored by Femke Bol, and Belgium (3:10.61), who secured bronze. The victory extends USA’s dominance in the event, setting the tone for the rest of their campaign in Tokyo.

Highlights from the heats and qualifying rounds

The opening day also saw fireworks in the preliminary rounds across track and field:

• Men’s 100m: Gift Leotlela ran 9.87, the third-fastest time ever in a global championships first round. Defending champion Noah Lyles, Kishane Thompson, and Letsile Tebogo all advanced with ease.
• Women’s 100m: Olympic champion Julien Alfred (10.93) advanced alongside Sha’Carri Richardson, Shericka Jackson, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, setting up blockbuster semifinals.
• Steeplechase drama: World record-holder Lamecha Girma and Geordie Beamish recovered from falls to qualify, while two-time defending champion Soufiane El Bakkali cruised through.
• Women’s 1500m: Faith Kipyegon began her quest for a fourth consecutive world title with a comfortable heat victory.
• Men’s pole vault: Mondo Duplantis safely progressed, extending his unbeaten run to 35 competitions.
• Women’s long jump: Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hilary Kpatcha topped qualifying with 6.88m and 6.85m.
• Women’s discus: Olympic champion Valarie Allman and defending champion Laulauga Tausaga both reached the final.

Medal Table after Day One

• USA: 2 golds (Shot put, Mixed 4x400m)
• Kenya: 1 gold (10,000m)
• Spain: 1 gold (Women’s 35km Race Walk)
• Canada: 1 gold (Men’s 35km Race Walk)

SportsLigue