Nanako Fujii Places 3rd in Women's 20-km Race Walk at the World Championships

Japan's Nanako Fujii broke her own national record in the women's 20-km race on Saturday morning, September 20 at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Fujii reached the finish line in 1 hour, 26 minutes, 18 seconds to secure the bronze medal. In doing so, the Fukuoka Prefecture native became the first Japanese woman to win a race walk medal in world championships history.

Spain's Maria Perez grabbed the gold in a season-best time of 1:25:54, followed by Mexico's Alegna Gonzalez (1:26:06).

Perez also won the 35-km event on Sunday, September 14. Now she's replicated her success from the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where she won both race walk events.

Fujii ended a weeklong medal drought for Team Japan.

On Day 1 of the world championships, Hayato Katsuki earned Japan's first medal, finishing third in the men's 35-km race walk.

Fujii, 26, made her world championships debut in 2019 in Doha, finishing seventh. Three years later, she was the sixth-place finisher in Eugene, Oregon.

In 2023, Fujii was 14th at the world championships in the Hungarian capital.

Nanako Fujii Puts Herself in Medal Contention

At the midway point of Saturday's race, Fujii was in fifth place, clocking 43.38 for the opening 10 km.

She stayed among the leaders as the athletes moved closer to the race's conclusion. At the 15.5-km mark, Fujii moved into third place. She stayed in that spot for the final 4.5 km.

Fujii broke her national record by 15 seconds en route to her historic bronze medal.

"I have been waiting for this moment for a while and it finally happened," a thrilled Fujii told reporters after the race wrapped up. "Winning the bronze medal in my country feels very special. I am honored to do it at home."

She added, "I have been working hard to set this national record."

Fujii elaborated on her personal quest to become a world championships medalist on this exciting morning for her.

"I was seriously targeting a medal and I was able to race just the way I had envisioned. I'm overjoyed," Fujii was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.

She added, "I never expected to achieve my best at this competition, so I'm very happy. I feel like I've taken a big step forward."

*Spain's Maria Perez triumphs in the women's 20-km race walk. (Sarah Meyssonnier/REUTERS)*

Perez Relies on Experience to Win the Race

When the race commenced at 7:30, the temperature was 23 degrees Celsius. At the conclusion of the race, it was 25 C at 9:12.

"The colder weather today probably helped me," Fujii noted.

It certainly didn't hurt Perez. The 29-year-old Spaniard was the sole leader from the 15-km mark to the finish line.

After the race, Perez reflected on her career and on competing at a second major global meet in Japan in a four-year span.

"I have been in five world championships and this is my fourth medal," Perez told a news conference before adding, "I am the happiest woman in the world."

Perez continued: "I did not come here today to make history in women's sport. [Instead], I just came to improve myself and not focus on the time."

What was Perez's assessment of her performance?

"I responded well to the changes in pace, [and] I knew where my limits were," she commented. "It was not easy, but I managed to have time to celebrate at the end."

Perez also pointed out that her fourth-place finish in the 20-km race walk at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 at Odori Park in Sapporo "left a bittersweet taste."

This time, Perez's departure from Japan will have a different emotional vibe.

"I am leaving happy now," she said.

Also for Japan, Kumiko Okada and Ayane Yanai participated in the race, placing 18th and 37th, respectively.

*Brazil's Caio Bonfim reacts as he wins the men's 20-km race walk at the world championships. (Dylan Martinez/REUTERS)*

Bonfim Claims 1st World Title in Men's 20-km Race

In the men's 20-km race held after the women's competition, Brazil's Caio Bonfim finished first in 1:18:35.

China's Zhaozhao Wang placed second, eight seconds off the pace. Spain's Paul McGrath was third (1:18:45).

A year after capturing his first Olympic medal as the runner-up at the 2024 Paris Games, Bonfirm earned his first world title.

Seven days earlier, he was the silver medalist in the 35-km race.

Kento Yoshikawa was Japan's top finisher, placing seventh (1:19:46). Countryman Satoshi Maruo placed ninth (1:20:09).

*Japan's Kento Yoshikawa, who placed seventh, is seen at the end of the men's 20-km race. (KYODO)*

In addition to describing the thrill of victory, Bonfim also shared an unusual story about his Saturday morning race experience.

"I lost my wedding ring in the third kilometer," Bonfim told reporters, [but] I believe my wife will be OK because I won today."

He added, "The oldest of my three children, Miguel, told me he missed me. I said that my success could compensate for my absence. [But] I am here for him and I made sure my effort was worthy of him."

Toshikazu Yamanishi, who owns the Japanese record in the race (1:16:10, which he set in February 2025), was assessed a 2-minute time penalty late in the race. The infraction dropped him from medal contention, and he finished 28th (1:22:39).

Yamanishi was the leader for a good chunk of the second half of the race.

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.