Evan Dunfee voitti vihdoin maailmanmestaruuden seitsemännellä yrityksellään ja teki historiaa Kanadalle

For over a decade, Canadian race walker Evan Dunfee has been chasing a dream that always seemed out of reach. Heartbreak, near misses, and painful what-ifs defined much of his path. But in Budapest, at the World Athletics Championships, the 32-year-old finally found the ending he had long imagined. In the grueling 35-kilometer race walk, Dunfee crossed the line first—claiming his long-awaited world title and proving that persistence sometimes does win the day.

Years of Almosts

Dunfee’s story has never been straightforward. His first World Championships came back in 2013, when he was a young hopeful eager to prove himself. Over the years, he kept finding his way among the world’s elite—but the top of the podium always seemed just beyond reach.

One of the defining moments came at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Battling over 50 kilometers, Dunfee looked poised to grab an Olympic medal. But after a collision with a rival, he stumbled out of contention, finishing in fourth—a result that captured both the cruelty of competition and his unshakeable resilience.

Where many athletes might have stepped away, Dunfee pressed on. Each setback became part of the foundation for what came next.

The Breakthrough in Budapest

In Budapest this summer, everything finally aligned. Dunfee’s pacing was measured, his form consistent, and he showed remarkable composure through the crucial late stages. Race walking, with its razor-thin margin for technical faults, leaves no room for error. This time, there were no flags, no disputes—just focus and strength when it mattered most.

As the final kilometers unfolded, Dunfee surged away from his rivals. This time there was no heartbreak—only triumph, as he strode across the line to become Canada’s newest world champion.

Seven Tries, One Golden Reward

It took seven attempts at the World Championships to reach this moment. For Dunfee, the medal is more than a win. It’s the culmination of grit, belief, and a refusal to let past disappointments define his future.

A Historic Moment for Canada

Race walking has rarely been a focal point in Canadian athletics. Dunfee’s championship changes that. For the next generation, his story now stands as a reminder that talent paired with determination can bring recognition to even the quietest corners of sport.

Looking Ahead

With the 50-kilometer walk fading from the global stage, Dunfee’s attention now shifts to Paris 2024. The one achievement still missing from his résumé? Olympic gold. After years of resilience and his crowning moment in Budapest, he steps toward Paris with fresh energy—and a nation eager to watch the next chapter unfold.

In Short

• Evan Dunfee won the 35 km race walk world title in Budapest.
• This was his seventh attempt at a World Championship medal.
• His career includes heartbreak, such as finishing fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
• The gold marks a milestone moment for Canadian race walking.
• Next up: Paris 2024, and a shot at long-awaited Olympic gold.

After finally conquering the World Championships, the question remains: can Evan Dunfee finish his story with Olympic glory on the streets of Paris?