Fiorini and Perez break race walking world records

Sofia Fiorini of Italy delivered a stunning performance at the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, shattering the women's marathon race walking world record by more than nine minutes. Fiorini's dominant display marked a historic achievement in the discipline, demonstrating the Italian walker's exceptional endurance and technical prowess over the grueling 42.195-kilometer distance. Her remarkable time established a new benchmark that significantly surpassed the previous world record, cementing her status among the elite race walkers of the current era.

Spain's Maria Perez added her own piece of history on the same day, setting a world record in the women's half-marathon race walk at the Birmingham championships. Perez's achievement in the 21-kilometer event showcased the competitive strength of both the Italian and Spanish race walking programs, which have emerged as powerhouses in this technically demanding discipline. The half-marathon race walk has gained considerable prominence in recent years, with athletes pushing the boundaries of speed while maintaining the strict technical requirements that define elite-level competition in the sport.

The dual world record performances in Birmingham highlighted the exceptional talent emerging in race walking, a discipline that demands precision, endurance, and unwavering focus over extended distances. Both Fiorini and Perez's records are expected to inspire a new generation of race walkers across Europe and internationally. These achievements underscore Italy and Spain's dominance in race walking, with their athletes consistently performing at the highest level on the European and world stages, setting new standards for the discipline moving forward.