Stunned Paternain secures Uruguays first world championship medal

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World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 - Womens Marathon Final - Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - September 14, 2025 Bronze medallist Uruguays Julia Paternain poses with her medal after finishing third in the Womens Marathon Final REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

TOKYO - Julia Paternain reacted in complete disbelief when she crossed the line third in the womens marathon on Sunday to win Uruguays first world championship medal.

The gruelling nature of marathon running, especially in the sort of suffocating heat that shrouded Tokyo on Sunday, means confusion for athletes at the finish is by no means unusual.

Paternain also finished well behind the first two athletes, Peres Jepchirchir and Tigst Assefa, and so was completely alone on the track as she crossed the line to the ovation of the National Stadium crowd.

The 25-year-old first checked for her time and then counted off the athletes in front of her, finally raising three fingers as she realised she had won a bronze medal at her first world championships.

I really could not believe it, I had no idea where I was, I knew I was top eightish, I was too scared to look behind me because I didnt want to get caught, said the Mexican-born, British-raised, American resident.

At the end of a marathon, youre tired, your brain is not working properly, I just wanted to make sure that truly was the finish. So, a little bit of confusion, but Im just extremely grateful and honestly