The World Athletics Championships have kicked off in Tokyo with Japan celebrating a bronze medal in the men’s 35km race walk.
Home athlete Hayato Katsuki secured the podium finish, a poignant moment for a nation that was denied the chance to cheer on its athletes during the closed-door 2020 Olympics.
The race was held in “absolutely brutal” conditions, with temperatures at 30C and humidity over 90%. Race winner Evan Dunfee of Canada and Britain’s Cameron Curbishley both commented on the grueling conditions, with Curbishley calling it “the hardest race I have ever done.”
The heat took its toll on several athletes, with one of Katsuki’s compatriots collapsing after crossing the finish line.
With close to 500,000 tickets sold, spectators have shown up in force, ready to make up for lost time.
Upcoming marathons have already been moved to an earlier start time due to a heatwave expected to hit the city in the coming days.
