Ivanov lifts Russian spirits with walk title

Aleksandr Ivanov gave hosts Russia their first gold of the world championships on Sunday and the country’s third successive title in the 20 kilometres walk.

The 20-year-old timed 1hr 20min 58sec as he crossed the line to roars of delight from the crowd, ahead of China’s Olympic champion Chen Ding (1hr 21min 09sec) while Spaniard Miguel Lopez, fifth in the Olympics, took bronze (1hr 21min 21sec).

Ivanov said that it signified a changing of the guard in Russian walking, and that although he had found parts of his first senior championships race tough the youngsters had replaced the veterans.

‘My main aim is Rio 2016. The beginning was particularly tough but I kept telling myself keep going, you have to keep going,’ he said.

Chen was delighted with the silver after a miserable time since his Olympic triumph that has been hampered by injuries and this was his first race back.

‘I haven’t had a good time since then, but I think this has lifted me out of the hole,’ said the 21-year-old.