This year’s World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships will strut into Brasília, the capital of Brazil, this weekend, marking the first time a world championship of this scale has been held in the Southern Hemisphere. On Sunday 12 April, the city of striking white, futuristic architecture will see five New Zealand athletes step onto the start line.
Our Under 20 athletes will contest the 10km race walk and include Alysa Brown (Selwyn) in the women’s event and Ari Bennett (Ashhurst) in the men’s. Alysa arrives as the 2025 Under 18 3000m Race Walk champion and will be looking to take her speed onto the international stage. Ari Bennett is also in strong form after claiming both the Under 20 3000m and 5000m race walk titles earlier this year at the New Zealand Track and Field Championships in Auckland.
The remainder of the squad is made up of our senior men, who will be stepping up in distance to compete in the half marathon race walk. This championships marks the first time the half marathon distance will be contested. Leading the senior men’s team is five-time national champion Jonah Cropp (Summer Running). Cropp secured commanding victories in both the 10,000m and 3,000m race walk events at this year’s track and field nationals and will be aiming to add a strong half marathon performance to his resume.
Joining him is this year’s national silver medallist in both the 10,000m and 3,000m race walk events, Toby O’Rorke (Egmont), along with one-time Oceania champion and three-time national champion Lucas Martin (Whanganui).
How to Watch
All the action will be available to watch live on the World Athletics website. Fans will also be able to follow the action via the World Athletics live results platform, which will offer an enhanced experience.
Watch LIVE on World Athletics +
The Team
U20 Women’s 10km Race Walk:
Alysa Brown, Selwyn Athletic Club, Coach Rozie Robinson
U20 Men’s 10km Race Walk:
Ari Bennett, Ashhurst Athletic and Harrier Club, Coach Rozie Robinson
Senior Men’s Half Marathon Race Walk:
Jonah Cropp, Sumner Running Club, Coach Rozie Robinson
Lucas Martin, Whanganui Club, Coach Mark Harris
Toby O’Rorke, Egmont Athletics, Coach Rozie Robinson
Team Management
Rozie Robinson – Team Lead