Shoe regulation protest strips Toxanbayeva of gold, elevating China into top spot

Shoe regulation protest strips Toxanbayeva of gold, elevating China into top spot

By Sundeep Misra, OCA Media

Nagoya, Japan, September 28, 2026: The race walk marathon results have finally been made official following a successful post-race protest against Kazakhstan’s Yasmina Toxanbayeva. 

The race walk was held at 7.30am, September 27. Initially crossing the finish line first with a time of 3:22:20, Toxanbayeva saw her victory stripped away after officials disqualified her under World Athletics rule TR7.1[TR5.2] [B], the technical regulation governing improper conduct and compliance with athletic shoe standards such as sole thickness or market availability.

This equipment-based ruling completely transformed the medal standings. China now takes the top two spots: Danzengquzong was elevated to the gold medal position with a personal best time of 3:26:09, while teammate Ma Li ascended to claim the silver medal in 3:32:26.

The disqualification also opened the door for Japan’s Yukiko Umeno, who originally finished just outside the medals but was officially promoted to capture the bronze with a time of 3:34:59. Further down the revised standings, Maika Yagi of Japan took fourth place at 3:36:40, followed by India’s Manju Rani rounding out the top five in 3:40:17.

The turn of events also underscores the thin margins of compliance in elite competition, turning heartbreak for Kazakhstan into a historic double-podium celebration for the Chinese team.