Tenzin Choezom Awarded Gold After DQ at Asian Games
The athlete claimed victory in the marathon race walk following the disqualification of the original winner.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Running
Tenzin Choezom secured the gold medal in the women's marathon race walk at the 2026 Asian Games. The shift in standings occurred after the initial winner, Yasmina Toxanbayeva, was disqualified due to non-compliant footwear.
Why it matters
The decision underscores the strict enforcement of technical regulations in professional race walking. Officials relied on submitted photographs and documentation to confirm that the footwear worn by Toxanbayeva failed to meet official World Athletics standards.
The race covered a 42.195-kilometre course. Following the disqualification of the athlete who initially crossed the finish line in 3:22:20, Ma Li took silver with a time of 3:32:26 and Umeno claimed bronze in 3:34:59.
The players
Tenzin Choezom
She is a competitive race walker who previously won the 2024 half-marathon in Lhasa and earned podium finishes at national events in 2026.
Yasmina Toxanbayeva
She is a Kazakh athlete who was disqualified from the Asian Games marathon race walk for wearing non-compliant footwear.
Ma Li
She is an athlete who was awarded the silver medal in the women's marathon race walk following the disqualification of the original winner.
Umeno
She is a race walker who secured the bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Games competition.
The details
Yasmina Toxanbayeva crossed the finish line first before officials ruled her footwear non-compliant with international standards. Tenzin Choezom, who placed behind the field, moved up to receive the gold medal.
Timeline
Choezom won the half-marathon race walk in Lhasa in 2024.
Choezom placed second at a national championship in May 2026.
Choezom was awarded the gold medal at the Asian Games on September 30, 2026.
The Big Picture
The disqualification follows a pattern established by current World Athletics footwear regulations. These rules dictate the specific technical standards required for competitive gear in international track and field events.
The disqualification of the original first-place finisher shifted the official podium rankings for the marathon race walk. This result confirms that Tenzin Choezom is the gold medalist, with Ma Li and Umeno shifting into the silver and bronze positions, respectively.
The takeaway
This outcome serves as a reminder that technical compliance is as critical as athletic performance in elite race walking. Athletes and their support teams must ensure all equipment meets rigorous international standards to avoid post-race disqualifications.
Further reading
For more on international competitive events, visit the Running section.
