TOKYO:

Canada's Evan Dunfee and Spain's Maria Perez claimed the opening golds on offer at the 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 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

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