Xie Yuchen, winner of the girls' Discus at the 2013 World Youth Championships in Donetsk (© Getty Images)
China’s Xie Yuchen smashed the championship record by more than a metre en route to claiming the girls’ Discus gold medal, claiming victory with 56.34m to continue her nation’s fine showing in the history of this event at the IAAF World Youth Championships.
Having taken the 1999, 2001 and 2009 titles, China placed high hopes on Xie’s shoulders and as expected, the 17-year-old followed 2009 winner Li Shanshan with a dominant display in Donetsk, Ukraine.
In the only girls’ throwing event where athletes compete with the senior implement, Xie led a world-leading 1-2-3 as Germany’s Claudine Vita grabbed silver with a 52.59m personal best from China’s Liang Xinyun who clinched the bronze medal with a 51.50m lifetime best.
Xie’s winning mark was the icing on the cake following a strong series of efforts including 53.24m, 55.01m and 54.06m in the preceding rounds.
Indeed, the victor enjoyed a successful day all round, having led the qualifying rounds with a 52.94m throw in the morning session, thus setting the scene for a scintillating final ahead.
