Today the recent results of male events in the Taicang World Team Championships were analysed
Analysis of men events
Results first 16 men
| 50 km. | 20 km. |
| | |
| 1 | Arai | Jpn | 3:44:25 | 1 | Ikeda | Jpn | 1:21:13 |
| 2 | Katsuki | Jpn | 3:44:31 | 2 | Wang Kaihua | Chn | 1:21:22 |
| 3 | Maruo | Jpn | 3:44:52 | 3 | Stano | Ita | 1:21:33 |
| 4 | Zakalnytstyi | Ukr | 3:44:59 | 4 | Yamanishi | Jpn | 1:21:53 |
| 5 | Wang Qin | Chn | 3:45:29 | 5 | Pintado | Ecu | 1:22:21 |
| 6 | Wang Rui | Chn | 3:48:01 | 6 | Jin Xiangqian | Chn | 1:22:35 |
| 7 | Augustyn | Pol | 3:48:22 | 7 | Fujisawa | Jpn | 1:22:54 |
| 8 | Karlström | Swe | 3:48:54 | 8 | Martín | Esp | 1:23:22 |
| 9 | Rew | Nzl | 3:48:58 | 9 | Fortunato | Ita | 1:23:31 |
| 10 | Banzeruk | Ukr | 3:49:17 | 10 | Soto | Col | 1:23:34 |
| 11 | Sikora | Pol | 3:49:54 | 11 | Pohle | Ger | 1:23:44 |
| 12 | Dunfee | Can | 3:50:18 | 12 | Arévalo | Col | 1:23:46 |
| 13 | Dziubin | Blr | 3:52:25 | 13 | Arteaga | Ecu | 1:23:49 |
| 14 | Antonelli | Ita | 3:53:00 | 14 | Bosworth | Gbr | 1:23:54 |
| 15 | Litanyuk | Ukr | 3:53:05 | 15 | Shange | Rsa | 1:23:56 |
| 16 | Barrondo Bernardo Uriel | Gua | 3:53:10 | 16 | Mizinov | Ana | 1:23:56 |
Individual medals (Men)
| Event | Europe | Asia | Americas | Oceania | Africa | Total |
| | | | | | | |
| 20 km. | 1 | 2 | - | - | - | 3 |
| 50 km. | - | 3 | - | - | - | 3 |
| Total | 1 | 5 | - | - | - | 6 |
Even in men in terms of quality has dominated Asia, especially a fabulous Japan that is preparing very well for the Olympic Games at home. The only non-Asian medal went to Italy following the amazing performance of Massimo Stano.
50km analysis
| Event | Europe | Asia | Americas | Oceania | Africa |
| | | | | | |
| First 8 athletes | | | | | |
| 50 km. | 3 | 5 | - | - | - |
| | | | | | |
| First 16 athletes | | | | | |
| 50 km. | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | - |
At the level of finalists, Japan was the master, China defended well, while Europe, even for the absence of some big athletes, has defended itself sufficiently. The great surprise of the race was the Ukrainian Zakalnytstyi, author of the last 10km fastest of all.
Good European representation in the 16 semi-finalists, with Ukraine (3 athletes) and Poland (2) well represented. Italy defended itself thanks to the young Antonelli. Disappointing Spain. Disappointment also from the Americas who have placed only two athletes in the sixteen. Ecuador and Mexico disappeared although the good conditions before the race were others. A place, thanks to the stainless Quentin Rew, for Oceania. Asia has disappointed in the Korean and Indian representatives.
20km analysis
| Event | Europe | Asia | Americas | Oceania | Africa |
| | | | | | |
| First 8 athletes | | | | | |
| 20 km. | 2 | 5 | 1 | - | - |
| | | | | | |
| First 16 athletes | | | | | |
| 20 km. | 6 | 5 | 4 | - | - |
At the level of finalists, Asian domination with Japan (3 athletes) and China (2 athletes). The latter suffered the DNF of Cai Zelin who appeared in good organic condition, but was betrayed by a meniscus injury. In any case, China will have to sweat the fateful seven shirts to be able to quickly find the substitutes of Chen Ding and Wang Zhen. Little Europe in the first eight: together with Stano we saw only Martin (Esp). Pintado has saved the honor of the Americas.
The number of athletes among the semi-finalists is well distributed among the three continents (Europe, Asia and the Americas). The contribution of Spain (disappointing Lòpez, García and Amezcua) was missing for Europe. Another burning disappointment comes from Linke (Ger). Always and only Japan and China for Asia. Korea failed to replace the absence of Kim Hyunsub. India, despite the movement is widening, can not find a valid representative. For the Americas the contribution of Mexican and Canadian athletes is completely missing. Africa was represented by the South African, Shange. The Kenyans who had impressed at the Commonweath Games have not seen each other.
The perspective of the European Championsgips and Asian Games
European Championships
20km men
It will be the most uncertain race in race walk program. Many pretenders to the podium. From the bronze of Taicang, Stano; to the three Spaniards who will certainly do a different race than Taicang; to the German Linke; to the Swedish Karlström; to the British Bosworth; to the Ukrainians. We will have to see, then, the resolution of the case of Russia and, in particular, of the situation of Shirobokov, whether or not he will be able to compete, even as ANA.
50km men
The Ukrainian Zakalnytstyi shone in Taicang and the Polish Augustyn defended well. The Swedish Karlström, probably, will opt for 20km. In the forecast, however, is necessary to take into consideration the great absentees: the Slovak Toth (season leader), the French Diniz, the Ukrainian Hlavan and the Hungarian Helebrand. The two Germans can defend themselves well: Dohmann and Junghannss. We expect good placings from the Italians: De Luca and Antonelli.
Asian Games
20km men
Still duel Japan - China. The Chinese Wang Kaiwa is, certainly, able to make life hard for the Japanese (Ikeda, Yamanishi and Takahashi), It does not seem yet at the level of these instead the other Chinese Jin Xiangqian. For Indians, Koreans and Kazakhs, there will be only space for placings above 4th place.
It will be, like in Taicang, a Japanese domain with Arai and Katsuki or Maruo. The two Chinese will fight for the bronze medal except for unforeseen events, such as the inclusion of a Korean or an Indian.
The total weight of the Continents
We now propose a comparison at the level of Continent (and then of finalists - first eight - and semi-finalists - first sixteen) in the last two editions of the World Race Walking Team Championship.
The comparison is not influenced, as it could have been if we had gone back in years, from the results obtained by Europe with the athletes of Russia, which in these two editions was not present.
Women (20km + 50km) - Taicang 2018
| Event | Europe | Asia | Americas | Oceania | Africa |
| | | | | | |
| First 8 athletes | | | | | |
| 20km and 50 km. | 4 - 25,0% | 6 - 37,5% | 5 - 31,25% | 1 - 6,25% | - |
| | | | | | |
| First 16 athletes | | | | | |
| 20km and 50 km. | 15 - 46,8% | 8 - 25% | 8 - 25% | 1 - 3,2% | - |
Women (20km + 50km) - Rome 2016
| Event | Europe | Asia | Americas | Oceania | Africa |
| | | | | | |
| First 8 athletes | | | | | |
| 20km and 50 km. | 3 - 33,34% | 3 - 33,33% | 3 - 33,33% | - | - |
| | | | | | |
| First 16 athletes | | | | | |
| 20km and 50 km. | 5 - 29,41% | 4 - 23,53% | 5 - 29,41% | 3 - 17,65% | - |
If we analyze these percentages at the level of the first eight athletes we immediately notice a decline in Europe (from 33.34% to 25%) and a consolidated increase in Asia (from 33.33% to 37.5%).
It is very interesting to note the weight of the Oceania that in Rome 2016 had not obtained any placement in the finalists, while in Taicang the result of Claire Tallent in 50% shifts the value of the scale to an excellent 6.25% also because obtained from a single athlete.
If we move the analysis of these percentages at the level of the semi-finalists (first 16) we note the following:
- Oceania almost disappears (from 17.65% in Rome 2016 to 3.2% in Taicang 2018, also due to the result of Claire Tallent)
- slight decline in the Americas and slight improvement in Asia
- significant improvement in Europe (from 29.41% in Rome 2016 to 46.8% in Taicang 2018). This improvement is in particular due to the results obtained in the 50km where while at the level of the first eight we register only Julia Takacs (ESP), at the level of semi-finalists Europe is present with as many as seven athletes. In short, there are lacking the leaders (Ines Henriques permitting) that instead were not lacking to Asia, Americas and Oceania.
Men (20km + 50km) - Taicang 2018
| Event | Europe | Asia | Americas | Oceania | Africa |
| | | | | | |
| First 8 athletes | | | | | |
| 20km and 50 km. | 5 - 31,25% | 10 - 62,5% | 1 - 6,25% | - | - |
| | | | | | |
| First 16 athletes | | | | | |
| 20km and 50 km. | 14 - 43,75% | 10 - 31,25% | 6 - 18,75% | 1 - 3,125% | 1 - 3,125% |
Men (20km + 50km) - Rome 2016
| Event | Europe | Asia | Americas | Oceania | Africa |
| | | | | | |
| First 8 athletes | | | | | |
| 20km and 50 km. | 7 - 43,75% | 2 - 12,5% | 5 - 31,25% | 2 - 12,5% | - |
| | | | | | |
| First 16 athletes | | | | | |
| 20km and 50 km. | 15 - 46,88% | 4 - 12,5% | 11 - 34,37% | 2 - 6,25% | - |
If we analyze these percentages at the level of the first eight athletes, the improvement of Asia is immediately evident (from 31.25% in Rome 2016 to 62.5% in Taicang 2018). This merciless growth is almost entirely attributable to the resounding result of Japan that in Rome 2016 was not present in the 50km and that in 20km had not placed any athlete in the first eight.
It is therefore obvious that all the other continents are affected by this exploit.
If we move the analysis of these percentages at the level of the semi-finalists (first 16) we note the following:
- Japan with its placements in the finalists also influences the level of the other continents. In fact the same athletes who in Rome 2016 had arrived in the first eight, now in Taicang take off positions and are placed in the first sixteen.
- however, the Americas fell (from 34.37% in Rome 2016 to 18.75% in Taicang 2018): Mexico and Colombia, which in Rome 2016 had done well, were less incisive in Taicang 2018.
- Africa faces the spotlight.
Overall (Women + Men) - Taicang 2018
| Event | Europe | Asia | Americas | Oceania | Africa |
| | | | | | |
| First 8 athletes | | | | | |
| 20km and 50 km. | 9 - 28,13% | 16 - 50% | 6 - 18,75% | 1 - 3,12% | - |
| | | | | | |
| First 16 athletes | | | | | |
| 20km and 50 km. | 29 - 45,31% | 18 - 28,13% | 14 - 21,88% | 2 - 3,13% | 1 - 1,56% |
Overall (Women + Men) - Rome 2016
| Event | Europe | Asia | Americas | Oceania | Africa |
| | | | | | |
| First 8 athletes | | | | | |
| 20km and 50 km. | 10 - 47,62% | 5 - 23,81% | 4 - 19,05% | 2 - 9,52% | - |
| | | | | | |
| First 16 athletes | | | | | |
| 20km and 50 km. | 20 - 41,67% | 8 - 16,68% | 16 - 33,33% | 5 - 10,42% | - |
Regardless of which of the two statistics we decide to analyze (first eight or first sixteen) the results for Oceania and Europe are, to say the least, merciless.
- Oceania, which weighed in Rome around 10% of the value of the global world race walk, after Taicang, sees its value reduced by around 3%
- the dear old Europe, which for years has been the cradle of the world race walk and two years ago still weighed around 45% (47.62% in the first eight and 41.67% in the first sixteen) sees its weight shrink today at 37%. But the analysis is even more merciless if it is done only at the level of the finalists where the global collapse of the old continent goes from an excellent 47.62% to just 28.13%.
The center of gravity of the world race walk has now moved to Asia and in particular between China and the Far East.
When the athletes of India will refine their technique, given the results they are already capable of today and the masses of the athletes at the start of the races, the weight of Asia we think will be even higher.
Needless to say, the same speech can be made for Africa.