Event-by-event preview of the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Brasília

A new chapter in race walking unfolds this Sunday as the world’s best converge on Brasília for the 2026 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships. Featuring 333 athletes from 40 nations, the 31st edition marks a historic shift in the sport, with the debut of the half marathon and marathon race walk distances at a World Athletics Series event. With global stars, deep team battles, and national pride on the line, Brasília sets the stage for a landmark day that could redefine the future of race walking.

• How to Watch 2026 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships 2026

Men’s 42 km walking race

Fifty athletes from 18 federations will line up in the men’s 42 km, a distance being introduced for the first time in the history of these championships.

China arrives with a formidable trio of Gao Yanlong, Wang Jinxi, and He Xianghong, who hold the three fastest times among the entrants. Gao leads the field after winning the Taicang Walking Grand Prix in a world-leading 2:55:28, ahead of Wang (3:03:23) and He (3:04:07).

Japan’s challenge is led by Hayato Katsuki, world bronze medallist in the 35 km in Tokyo 2025, who set a personal best of 2:55:28 over 42 km in Takahata last year. Katsuki was sixth at the Japanese Championships over 21 km. Japan, silver medallists in the 20 km team event at the previous edition, also fields Kazuya Iwai (3:01:22 PB) and Subaru Ishida (3:04:22 PB).

Germany brings strong depth with Christopher Linke, European 35 km silver medallist in Munich 2022 and third in Dudince this year (3:05:44 PB), alongside Karl Junghannss (3:04:33) and Johannes Frenzl (3:10:09).

Italy is led by Massimo Stano, Olympic 20 km champion from Tokyo 2021 and world 35 km gold medallist, who set a world record of 2:20:43 in Podebrady 2025. He is joined by Riccardo Orsoni, eighth in the 35 km at the Tokyo World Championships.

Spain features José Manuel Pérez and Daniel Chamosa, sixth in the 35 km at Tokyo 2025. Sweden’s Perseus Karlström will aim for a third title after victories in Muscat 2022 (35 km) and Antalya 2024 (20 km). Karlström recently clocked 3:04:50 for 42 km and won over 21 km in Dudince.

France’s Aurélien Quinion, fourth over 20 km and fifth over 35 km at the Tokyo World Championships, is another athlete to watch.

Women’s 42 km walking race

Brazil’s Viviane Lyra headlines the women’s field, facing Ecuador’s Paula Torres in a highly anticipated clash.

Lyra, South American 20 km champion in 2025, set an area record of 3:24:54 on her marathon walk debut in Dublin. She has consistently placed among the world’s best, including fourth in the 35 km at the 2023 World Championships. She will be supported by Gabriela De Sousa and debutant Mayara Luize Vicentainer.

Torres, world bronze medallist over 35 km in Tokyo 2025, also placed fourth over 20 km at those championships and fifth at Antalya 2024. She recently set a PB of 1:36:18 over the half marathon distance. Ecuador fields a strong team including Magaly Bonilla, Johanna Ordoñez, and Karla Jaramillo, part of the gold medal-winning squad in the 35 km.

Italy lines up Eleonora Giorgi, world 50 km bronze medallist, alongside rising talent Sofia Fiorini (3:27:19 European best) and Federica Curiazzi.

China dominates the entry list with five of the six fastest athletes this season, led by Xi Ricuo (3:25:38), alongside Sangdan Quzhen, Zhang Jiahui, Li Yanhong, and Li Xinyu.

Other contenders include India’s Manju Rani (3:33:24) and Mexico’s Sofia Ramos Rodríguez (3:35:37).

Women’s 21 km walking race

Peru’s Kimberly Garcia leads the field as one of the sport’s most decorated athletes. The double world champion from Eugene 2022 and Antalya 2024 gold medallist recently set a PB of 1:34:17 in Dudince.

She will face compatriot Evelyn Inga, who stunned the field in Dudince with a South American record of 1:33:49.

China again boasts exceptional depth, led by Ji Haiying (1:32:22), Guo Na (1:32:24), and Dou Maocuo (1:32:27), making them favourites for team honours.

Spain’s Anita Chamosa, Poland’s double world silver medallist Katarzyna Zdziebło, and Australia’s national champion Rebecca Henderson (1:32:25 PB) are among the leading contenders.

Other athletes to watch include Alejandra Ortega, Pauline Stey, and Italy’s Nicole Colombi, winner in Dublin earlier this year.

Men’s 21 km walking race

Brazilian star Caio Bonfim, world champion in Tokyo 2025 and Olympic silver medallist in Paris 2024, will aim for a podium finish on home soil. He recently clocked 1:21:44 and 1:23:00 this season.

Japan’s Toshikazu Yamanishi, a two-time world champion and world record holder (1:16:10 over 20 km, 1:20:34 half marathon), leads a powerful Japanese squad seeking their first team title since 2018.

Spain’s team includes Paul McGrath, Diego García Carrera, and former world champion Miguel Ángel López, while Italy is led by Francesco Fortunato, European medallist and indoor world record holder over 5000m.

China, Australia, and Spain are also strong contenders in the team standings. Australia fields Declan Tingay and Rhydian Cowley, while Canada’s Evan Dunfee returns from injury after winning the 35 km world title in 2025.

U20 races

Australia’s Isaac Beacroft will defend his men’s U20 title after a record-breaking season, including a world U20 record of 38:02.68. China and Japan field strong teams, while France, Italy, Mexico, and Ireland also bring promising talents.

In the women’s U20 10 km, China once again leads the field with Wang Yaru, Yang Yutong, and Ni Lihua. France’s Chloé Le Roch (44:02 national record) and Italy’s Serena Di Fabio (44:08) are among the main challengers, alongside Spain’s Gina Torres and Ethiopia’s Hiwo Ambaw.