Spain’s Martin captures first gold of World Championships

Alvaro Martin of Spain captured gold in the 20-kilometre race walk in the opening event of the World Athletics Championships yesterday.

Martin moved into the lead with about 5km remaining to finish in one hour 17.32 seconds, the fastest time in the world this season, on the soggy 1km loop course that started and finished at picturesque Heroes’ Square.

Sweden’s Perseus Karlstrom, a three-time world bronze medallist, won silver in 1:17.39, while Caio Bonfim of Brazil claimed the bronze (1:17.47) to match his medal from the 2017 worlds in London.

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Martin, who was fourth at the Tokyo Olympics and seventh at the worlds last year in Eugene, shaved nearly two seconds off his best time.