Toth of Slovakia wins men's 50 km race walk (updated with quotes)

Matej Toth of Slovakia clocked three hours, 40 minutes and 32 seconds to win men's 50km race walk here on Saturday.

It was the first-ever world championships title for the 32-year-old veteran, who had competed in three Olympics and five worlds before his victory in Beijing.

"I just hope I will manage to enjoy such a special moment at least one more time in my life," said Toth after the race.

"I have to say that this 50km was maybe the easiest race in my whole life."

The 2006 Slovakia Athlete of the Year got the gold medal at the IAAF World Cup, his first title at world class competitions.

"I have my father here with me, so I gave him a hug when I came to the finish," Toth said. "I was thinking about my two little daughters at home and my wife all the time."

In 2011, Toth set a new Slovakian national record of 3:39:46. He didn't finish 50km race in the 2011 worlds, but took the 14th place in 20km.

"I made history today with this first gold medal for Slovakia," said Toth.

Toth took the lead one kilometer into the race and never looked back.

"I felt enough energy despite the fact that I knew the strong guys were following me," said Toth.

"After the 30th kilometer I told myself that I can go to the front and keep my pace, what was more comfortable for me."

Australian veteran Jared Tallent took silver in a season-best 3:42:16, after finishing 26th over 20km six days ago. The 30-year-old had collected two Olympics silver medals and two bronzes at the world championships.

"I am very very pleased for this medal," said Tallent.

"I didn't have a good 20km race here. I was disappointed with that. It gave me strong motivation to come out here at the 50km with a medal."

Takayuki Tanii won bronze in 3:42.55, taking the first medal for Japan at the 2015 worlds. Endi