China’s Hong Liu crosses the finish line to win gold in the women’s 20 Kilometres race walk at the Corniche in Doha, yesterday.
China made a podium sweep in the women’s 20km race walk as Liu Hong, Qieyang Shenjie and Yang Liujing picked up the gold, silver and bronze respectively at the Corniche yesterday.
The 32-year-old Hong, returning to the competition after a two-year maternity break, landed her third world 20km race walk title.
It was also the first time one nation had swept the medals in a women’s race walking event at the World Championships as her Chinese team-mates followed her across the finish line.
But it was only in the last few kilometres that the Chinese trio emerged as the likely medallists as they had several other athletes for company up until that point.
Unsurprisingly, the pace for the opening laps of the two-kilometre circuit on Doha’s Corniche was comfortable for most of the leading contenders.
“I’m happy to win gold. It’s my third one the major athletics events. Tomorrow is the anniversary of the proclamation of the People’s Republic of China. To sweep all three medals for the first time in the history of our event is our good for our country,” Hong said.
On her remarkable comeback after giving birth to a child she said: “Some changes have happened in my life. I’m not only an athlete, but I became a mother. So, I have to devote much time to balance family life and training. It was a bit difficult for me as I have to focus on the training and make my training more effective.”
On choosing between 20km and 50km after she became the world record holder in both distances she said: “I managed to break the world record at 50km in my debut. Honestly, while preparing for Doha, I felt more confident about the 20km. That is why I decided to compete at this distance.”
The gold medal winner said it was teamwork which helped them.
“This time we had four athletes to compete. It is the biggest possible amount of people competing for a country. We have a strong team and it does not matter for us who wins because we have the same dream. We got along with the weather well. Everyone wants to get a medal that is why we decided to support each other at the first part of race and then to speed up.”
Meanwhile, silver winner Shenjie seemed delighted with the podium sweep.
“I am quite happy to win silver because Liu is so strong. I am happy with the second place finishing behind her. The most meaningful moment is that China swept the podium. That was the most important and proud moment.”
Yang on the other hand said the medal was a big surprise which landed into her kitty.
“Before the race I did not expect to win a medal because I am the younger in the team. So, I expected only to learn from my sister (Jiayu Yang) but she was disqualified. I’m lucky to win a medal.”
