Massimo Stano of Italy stamped his authority on the race strolling world on Sunday, smashing the boys’s 35K world file on the European Race Strolling Workforce Championships in Podebrady, Czech Republic. The 2021 Olympic champion stopped the clock at 2:20:43—an eye-popping 57 seconds quicker than the earlier file set simply two months in the past by Canada’s Evan Dunfee.
The 33-year-old Italian negatively cut up the race, protecting the ultimate 20 kilometres in simply 1:19:06. “The plan wasn’t to chase the world file,” Stano stated to European Athletics submit race. “It was to assault the ultimate 20 kilometres. That was my mission—and the file was the consequence.”
Tactical endurance, ruthless end
Stano waited patiently earlier than making his transfer, taking the lead by 24K and dropping sub-four-minute kilometres with precision. By 30K, it was clear the file was in bother—his cut up was two seconds forward of Dunfee’s. From there, he charged residence, placing the two:20 barrier firmly on the horizon.
The rostrum in Podebrady was quick throughout. German veteran Christopher Linke broke the nationwide file with 2:23:21 for silver, whereas Spain’s Miguel Ángel López claimed bronze and a nationwide file of his personal in 2:23:48.
Who Is Massimo Stano?
Stano burst onto the worldwide scene with gold within the 20km race stroll on the Tokyo Olympics, the place his dramatic last kilometre made headlines. A yr later, he gained the world title within the 35K distance. Podebrady’s win was greater than a person triumph; it additionally secured the group title for Italy, forward of Spain and Germany.
Congratulations Massimo Stano for taking almost 1min off the 35km world file. 79min final 20km is completely insane.
Was proud to have this file, if not even for two months. Undoubtedly unhappy to be dropping it, however glad to understand it’s in good arms! https://t.co/UI6bpZk57k pic.twitter.com/CT2gldunq1— Evan Dunfee (@EvanDunfee) Could 18, 2025
Canada’s Evan Dunfee: file holder to file breaker
Earlier than Stano’s surge in Podebrady, it was Canada’s Dunfee who held the 35K crown. In March, Dunfee clocked 2:21:40 in Dudince, Slovakia, shaving seven seconds off Japan’s Masatora Kawano’s earlier greatest. The Canadian has lengthy been a constant presence in world race strolling, successful Olympic bronze in Tokyo and incomes respect for his gritty, considerate strategy to the game. Whereas his time on the prime was temporary, Dunfee’s efficiency helped push the occasion ahead, setting the stage for Stano’s breakthrough.