WU20: Heartbreak as defending 10,000m walk race champion, Wanyonyi is disqualified

Kenya's bid to retain the World U20 10,000m walk race have suffered a blow after defending champion Heristone Wanyonyi was disqualified while Margaret Gati finished a distant 14th in the girls' category.

Wanyonyi wrote history by becoming the first Kenyan to win a global walking race after cruising to victory over the distance in last year's edition held at the Kasarani Stadium.

However, the youngster's bid to retain his title suffered a blow as he was disqualified. Wanyonyi who is the captain to the Kenyan team in Cali had been sin-binned with just slightly over 400m to the line but a repeated offence earned him disqualification alongside Bryan Matias.

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The outgoing champion has consequently been succeeded by Mazlum Demir of Turkey who won the race in 42:36.02. Ismail Benhammouda of Algeria scooped silver while Hayrettin Yildiz of Turkey walked away with the bronze medal.

Gati on the other hand will be glad to have recorded a new national U20 record after clocking 45:09.05.

The girls' race was won by Karla Serrano of Mexico with Ai Ooyama and Ayane Ayai both of Japan sealing the other podium places.