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Richmond race-walker breaks Canadian record

Richmonds Inaki Gomez set a Canadian record in the 20-kilometre race walk during his Olympic debut in London on the weekend. The 24-year-old hoped to finish in the top 15 and managed to exceed his goal, placing 13 out of 56 competitors.

Richmonds Inaki Gomez set a Canadian record in the 20-kilometre race walk during his Olympic debut in London on the weekend.

The 24-year-old hoped to finish in the top 15 and managed to exceed his goal, placing 13 out of 56 competitors. His recorded time was 1:20.58.

Cheered on by family and friends, including City of Richmond employee Erika Goroztieta, Gomez race took him around a loop extended from The Mall, around Constitution Hill, passing Buckingham Palace and the Queen Victoria Memorial.

The UBC grad trained at the Minoru Oval as part of a weekly 120-kilometre routine in preparation for London.

Although he first set eyes on the Olympics as a swimmer, a car accident resulting in a serious neck injury prevented further competitive swimming.

After recovery, Gomez took up race walking and was a natural, according to his coach. He has since become the 2009 Canadian 20-kilometre race walk champion and a three-time silver medalist, as well as a 2007 Canadian Junior race walk champion over 10 kilometres.

Another Richmondite, Arjan Bhullar, still awaits his Olympic fate in the wrestling arena on Aug. 11.