Maria Perez won the 20km sport walk gold at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest

Former European champion Maria Perez attacked in the decisive stages to give Spain its first world title in the women’s 20km sport walk at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

Maria Perez took the lead in front of the leading group after the 15th kilometer and neither the Peruvian title holder Kimberly Garcia Leon nor the Olympic champion Antonella Palmisano (Italy) and the strong Chinese riders were able to catch her.

Maria Perez crossed the finish line with the Spanish flag above her head under sunny skies at the Plaza de las Heroes in 1:26.51 hours, adding the world title to his continental success of 2018 and the 35km world record from earlier in the year.

Australia’s Jemima Montag won silver 25 sec behind, with Antonella Palmisano taking bronze despite slipping and falling mid-race. Kimberly Garcia Leon stayed off the podium, taking fourth place.

Spain has a great tradition in sport walking, mainly on the men’s side, as women had never won gold in the 20km until now at the World Championships or Olympic Games.