Italy goes to the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Muscat 22 without its two biggest stars, but cautiously optimistic it will still challenge for honours.
Toshikazu Yamanishi and Antonella Palmisano
As this extraordinary year draws to a close, we look back at the key moments of 2020 in each area of the sport. The series continues today with a review of race walks.
Who knew what lay around the corner when Yusuke Suzuki blew away cobwebs on New Year’s Day with a swift 20km in Tokyo?
It was the 68th edition of the race, and the world record-holder, who won in 1:20:01 was little challenged by runner-up Motofumi Suwa finishing 48 seconds behind.
In fact, when it came to superlative performances in the strangest of years, Japanese race walkers were little challenged by anybody.