Pierce LePage and Damian Warner take gold and silver in men’s decathlon

On a historic night in Canadian track and field, Pierce LePage and Damian Warner claimed gold and silver in the men’s decathlon at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

LePage of Whitby, Ont., finished with a world-leading 8,909 points to win his first world title, upgrading his silver from last year’s world championships in Eugene. LePage is the first Canadian to win a world title in the event.

The 27-year-old recorded a personal best in the men’s 110m hurdles and set season’s bests in four other events: pole vault, 1,500m, high jump and 400m to earn a new personal best score of 8,909, beating his previous best of 8,701 points from worlds last year. 

Warner won the silver with a season’s best 8,804 points to place ahead of Grenada’s Lindon Victor, who took bronze with a national record of 8,756 points.

“Being world champion has not set in yet,” LePage said to Canadian Running.”I am really happy with how the decathlon went, but I wasn’t overly happy with how my events went on Day 1. My coach always says the decathlon begins on Day 2.”

LePage felt that he solidified his lead on Warner and Victor with the pole vault, heading into the final two events. “My pole vault went really well, and usually it’s pretty messy,” said LePage. “It felt really quite clean.”

This is the first time a Canadian man has won the decathlon at a world championship and also the first time Canada has gone one-two in the event. Warner and LePage have nothing but respect for one another: “Sharing the podium together with him this year is just so special,” says LePage. “He leads by example, you know, he’s the Olympic champion and now I am the world champion.”

Warner, 33, has won Olympic gold and world indoors gold, but hasn’t added gold at outdoor worlds to his resume. He has now won silver and bronze twice each at a world championships. 

“If there’s anybody in this competition that I would be happy to beat me, it’s Pierce,” says Warner. “He’s a great guy, and I know how hard he’s worked all this year. Sometimes you just have to take your hat off, shake their hand and congratulate them, because when someone goes out there and scores 8,900 points, it’s all you can do.”

“If there’s anyone in this competition that I would be happy to beat me, it’s Pierce. He’s a great guy and I know how hard he’s worked for this.”

– Damian Warner on Pierce LePage winning 🥇 🥲

📸: @James_Athletics pic.twitter.com/AcXPkSrh2n

— Canadian Running (@CanadianRunning) August 26, 2023

Heading into the last day of competition at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, Canada has won a record six medals: four gold and two silver, with a chance for more on Day 9. Ethan Katzberg and Camryn Rogers each won gold in the men’s and women’s hammer throw, Marco Arop won the men’s 800m final and LePage the decathlon; Warner and Sarah Mitton won silver (Mitton in the shot put). 

The 2023 World Athletics Championships are taking place from August 19-27 at the National Stadium in Budapest, Hungary. All the action will be brought to you by Canadian Running and Asics Canada. Follow us on Twitter on Instagram for all things Team Canada and up-to-date exclusive news and content.