TOKYO, Sept 13, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Canada's Evan Dunfee and Spain's Maria Perez claimed the opening golds on offer at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo with respective victories in the men and women's 35km race walking events on Saturday.

Dunfee, 34, clocked 2hr 28min 22sec around the streets of the Japanese capital in sultry conditions to outpace Brazil's Caio Bonfim.

Japan's Hayato Katsuki rounded out the podium to the delight of the morning crowd at the National Stadium, which was deprived of fans during the Covid-delayed Olympics in 2021.

"It is a dream come true," said Dunfee, who earned bronze medals over 50km at the 2019 world championships and the Tokyo Olympics.

In the absence of Spain's Alvaro Martin (retired) and Italian Massimo Stano (hamstring injury), the last two winners of this title, Dunfee kicked with 5km to walk into the lead and never looked like ceding.

"My coach and I have been together since I was 10 years old and then we set down and set goals to become world champions and to set the world record," he said.

"We managed to do both this year and it really is a dream come true."

The race had been anything but easy, however, with Dunfee admitting to struggling.

"In the second half of the race, I found myself in the lead, but still, the last two kilometres felt like the hardest ones I have ever done," the Canadian said.

"I had to channel all my strength for all the people back home, the ones who supported me."

Perez defended her 35km race walk title for a third world gold overall.

The 29-year-old, who won double gold in Budapest in 2023 over 20km and 35km, timed 2:39.01 for victory.

Italy's Antonella Palmisano claimed silver, with Paula Milena Torres of Ecuador taking bronze.

"I wanted to win a medal in two races here so I am happy," said Perez. "I need to recover for the 20km (next Saturday) and perform to the best of my ability.

"I kept fighting throughout the course and this is what race walking is about, to aim to be a better athlete and person."

The United States, defending champions and world record holders, qualified for the final of the 4x400m mixed relay scheduled for Saturday's evening session.

The US quartet of Bryce Deadmon, Lynna Irby-Jackson, Jenoah McKiver and Alexis Holmes clocked 3min 10.18sec to win their heat ahead of Britain and South Africa, who also automatically qualified.

The second heat saw the Netherlands, who famously beat the US to gold at last year's Paris Olympics thanks to a stunning anchor leg by Femke Bol, finish second behind Belgium (3:10.37).

Poland, Olympic gold medallists in Tokyo in 2021, were third after Kenya were disqualified.

Also going through to the final are Italy and Japan.