World Race Walking Championships 2024: Kimberly Garcia and Perseus Karlstrom win the 20km titles

Double world champion Kimberly Garcia converted her impressive global race walking form to the 2024 World Athletics Team Championships, striding to victory for the 20km Senior Women’s Individual title on a hot Sunday (21 April) in Antalya, Turkey.

The Peruvian dominated the race around the two-kilometre loop course at the Antalya Expo Centre. She and teammate Evelyn Inga took the lead at nearly the half-way mark, and it looked as though a 1-2 finish for Peru was assured, until Inga was penalised.

The win was a great comeback for Garcia, who dropped out unwell after just 2km at the Race Walking Tour event in Dudince. On Sunday she crossed the line in 1:27:12, immediately setting her sights on the Paris 2024 Games.

“It was an important win but it was only a preparation towards the Olympics. I want to achieve what I have achieved here over there in Paris,” said Garcia.

Three red cards set back compatriot Inga, allowing defending champion Ma Zhenxia of People’s Republic of China to cover ground for silver, as Brazil’s Erica de Sena, one of the oldest in Sunday’s field at 38, rounding off the podium for bronze. Inga managed to recover time and finish fourth, but it left Peru second in the team standings with 15 points, behind winners China on countback. Spain took team bronze.