After a lot hypothesis surrounding the lads’s 20km race stroll occasion and a two-hour climate delay, Richmond, B.C.’s Evan Dunfee placed on a record-setting efficiency to kick off the 2023 World Athletics Championships for Group Canada. Dunfee completed fourth in 1:18:03, smashing the earlier Canadian file by over a minute.

So I generally is a 20km walker but.
✅ 4th on the earth
✅ Nationwide File
✅ Paris Olympic Qualifier

Subsequent up: 35km in a number of days. pic.twitter.com/2jBFG91NDI

— Evan Dunfee (@EvanDunfee) August 19, 2023

Dunfee discovered himself contending for a podium end on the 15 km mark, blended within the lead pack of 4 males, with 5 kilometres to go. Spain’s Alvaro Martin placed on a surge at 16 km and by no means appeared again, securing gold in a world-leading time of 1:17:32. Sweden’s Perseus Karlstrom (1:17:39) and Brazil’s Caio Bonfim (1:17:47) took silver and bronze, setting nationwide data of their very own.

The fourth-place end result was surprising for the 2020 Olympic 50km RW medallist Dunfee, who’s recognized for his energy within the longer race-walk distances. Dunfee has beforehand expressed his opinion concerning the 20-kilometre distance, stating it’s “much less difficult” and “not as superior” because the 35-km and 50-km distances. (The 50-kilometre race stroll distance was faraway from the Olympic program in 2021.)

Dunfee, who’s shut associates with Karlstrom, posted on social media after the race: “There’s nothing I might have needed greater than to have the ability to stand on the rostrum with this man,” wrote Dunfee. “Whereas I got here up a bit quick, he gave me the boldness to have the race I did at present, and I’m so pleased with it.”

🚨 CANADIAN RECORD ALERT 🚨@EvanDunfee is the brand new Canadian file holder within the 20km race stroll 🤩

Dunfee completed with a time of 1 hour, 18 minutes, and three seconds on the @WorldAthletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary! 🤯

Wonderful stuff, Evan 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XbPp9pNCLl

— Group Canada (@TeamCanada) August 19, 2023

The occasion was solely minutes away from its scheduled begin time when it was delayed by two hours as a consequence of inclement climate.

The 32-year-old can be subsequent in motion within the males’s 35 km race stroll on Thursday, Aug. 24, the place he can be one of many favourites to succeed in the rostrum.

The 2023 World Athletics Championships are going down from August 19-27 on the Nationwide Stadium in Budapest, Hungary. All of the motion can be delivered to you by Canadian Operating and Asics Canada. Comply with us on Twitter on Instagram for all issues Group Canada and up-to-date unique information and content material.