Japan’s Toshikazu Yamanishi repeated as world champion and countryman Koki Ikeda claimed the silver medal in the men’s 20-kilometer race walk Friday at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene.
Racing on a 1-kilometer loop course along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near Autzen Stadium, Yamanishi crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 19 minutes, 7 seconds. The bronze medalist at last year’s Tokyo Olympics, Yamanishi added another gold to the one he claimed at the 2019 world championships in Qatar.
Ikeda finished in 1:19:14, while Sweden’s Perseus Karlstrom took third in 1:19:18.
Karlstrom celebrated after finishing by lifting up Yamanishi in his arms and letting out a yell as Yamanishi smiled.
Dan Nehnevaj, who attended Clark College and Columbia River High School in Vancouver, finished 43rd in the race. The top American finisher was Nick Christie, who was 31st.
— Joel Odom; jodom@oregonian.com
