Chinese race walker Dan Zengquzong has been awarded the gold medal in the women's race walk marathon at ASIAD 2026, after Kazakhstan's Yasmina Toxanbayeva was disqualified for using illegal shoes. Her compatriot Ma Li was upgraded to the silver medal, while Japan's Yukiko Umeno received the bronze. The final took place on 27/9 in Nagoya, Japan.

Following the event, all athletes' equipment underwent inspection. Officials scrutinized Toxanbayeva's shoes, which were found not to be on the World Athletics' (the international governing body for athletics) registered list of approved footwear. ASIAD 2026 organizers subsequently escalated the matter to World Athletics for a definitive ruling. According to World Athletics regulations, athletes competing in recognized events must use shoes from the approved shoe list. Approved competition shoes must either be commercially available to the public or a licensed prototype under development. After review, World Athletics concluded that Toxanbayeva's shoes failed to meet requirements, violating competition rules, leading to her disqualification.

Toxanbayeva, not highly rated prior to the competition with her best achievement being a bronze medal in the 20 km Asian Race Walking Championship, surprised many by finishing first with a time of 3 hours 22 minutes 20 seconds, surpassing the Asian best in this event. Dan Zengquzong had originally finished second with a personal best of 3 hours 26 minutes 09 seconds, while Ma Li was third with 3 hours 32 minutes 26 seconds. Yukiko Umeno had placed fourth with a time of 3 hours 34 minutes 59 seconds. Race walking is governed by strict rules, prohibiting athletes from running and requiring one foot to be visibly in contact with the ground at all times. Athletes face penalties if both feet are simultaneously off the ground.

After her disqualification, Toxanbayeva issued a statement on social media, expressing that she fought to the end but had to accept the organizers' decision. The Kazakhstan athlete offered no further comment regarding her shoes not being on the approved list.

Hong Duy