Oregon 2022: Gathimba narrowly misses out on the podium as Kenya’s medal hunt begins
By Peter Mulemi, July 16, 2022
Japan’s Toshikazu Yamanishi successfully defended his men’s 20km race walk as Peru’s Kimberley Garcia won her country’s first-ever global medal as she walked to victory in the women’s race walk.
It was a disappointing night for Kenya’s Samuel Gathimba who missed the podium, finishing fourth behind Perseus Karlstrom of Sweden.
Yamanishi timed 1:19.07 as compatriot Koki Ikeda took silver, seven seconds off the winning pace.
The physics student at Kyoto University, Yamanishie endured humid conditions in Oregon and got his tactics right as he walked to victory, confirming his status as the best in the discipline once again.
Yamanishi became the third multiple winners of the 20km world title after Italy’s Maurizio Damilano (1987 and 1991) and Ecuador’s Jefferson Perez (2003, 2005 and 2007).
For Gathimba, it was so near yet so far and finishing fourth at the global event will be more of a motivation for him.
The African champion has a chance to redeem himself at the Commonwealth Games to be held in Birmingham, United Kingdom later this month.