Liu Xiang after his win at the 10th Chinese National Games (© Jiro Mochizuki-Agence SHOT)
20 October 2005The most eagerly anticipated race of the 10th Chinese National Games was without a doubt the men's 110m hurdles, and Liu Xiang, the Olympic champion and co-World record holder, didn't disappoint the crowd of more than 40,000 on hand during the competition's fourth day.
Liu, who won the last edition of the Games as a fresh-faced 18-year-old, took top honours in a fast 13.10, handily defeating runner-up Shi Dongpeng's 13.44. It was the second podium finish for Shi as well, who finished third in 2001 when just 17. Chen Ming was a surprise, finishing third with a personal best 13.70.
Zhang first Chinese Shot Putter beyond 20 metres
In the men's shot put, Zhang Qi did exactly what was expected: he became the first Chinese man to reach 20 metre territory after his second round 20.15 heave. Zhang, who had tied Ma Yongfeng's previous national record of 19.78 earlier this summer, dominated the competition here, with each of his three measured throws more than enough for the win. Tian Yingchun repeated as runner-up, reaching a personal best of 19.25, with another pre-competition favourite, national champion Jia Peng, fnishing third (18.99).
Gao upset in the Pole Vault
The biggest upset of the day was registered by 19-year-old Zhao Yingying in the women's Pole Vault, who defeated Gao Shuying, the Asian record holder.
Gao who recently won the Asian Championships with a 4.53 Asian record clearance after her fifth place finish at the World Championships, had been the class of Chinese vaulting this season, and was the prohibitive favourite. She led the competition through 4.30, but missed twice at the next height, 4.40, which Zhao managed on her second attempt, equaling her Asian junior record while taking the lead in the process. With Gao choosing to pass until 4.50, 21-year-old Yang Jing sailed over 4.40 on her third try to move into second. Gao then missed at 4.50, and had to settle for third. Zhao made three attempts at a would-be new Asian junior record height of 4.50, but came up a little short.
Third National Games win for Li
The men's Discus Throw competition repeated the surprise already seen in the women's competition. Wu Tao entered the Discus final as the sole favourite, having improved to 64.28 earlier this season and looking to better his third place finish as an 18-year-old in the 2001 Games. But the reigning champion, 28-year-old national record holder Li Shaojie, confirmed his return after several low-key seasons with a season's best 62.85, enough for the win. Li, whose season's best was a modest 59.36, also won the 1993 Games at 18, and now has three golds and a silver in four National Games. Wu Tao took second (61.91) with Tulake Nuermaimaiti, who set the Asian record of 62.36 at the 2001 Games, was third (59.60).
Qi on target for national Decathlon record?
National record holder Qi Haifeng leads the decathlon with a first day tally of 4,152 points. He is just marginally behind his record series from Götzis this year, where he scored 8,290 points. With no real competitive threat, he will chase the national record on his own tomorrow. 19-year-old Yu Bin bettered his personal bests in several events, and sits in second with 4,070 points.
Sun v. Xing in the 5000 semis
In the second heat of the women's 5000m, Sun Yingjie and Xing Huina easily qualified for Saturday's final. As usual, Sun, the winner of Sunday's marathon in Beijing and the runner-up in the 10,000 on Monday, won the heat, nine seconds ahead of the next finisher in 15:49.03. Xing, the Games' 10,000 winner and reigning Olympic champion in the 10,000, was fourth in 15:59.37 and advanced as well.
Locals dominate women's 20-k Race Walk
The women's 20 km Race Walk proved to be a good day for hosts Jiangsu.
18-year-old Bai Yanmin upset the big names with a strong 1:27:37 win, a personal best. Competing in just her sixth race, Bai's win was the first of her young career. 2005 National Champion Jiang Jing, also from Jiangsu, was the favourite, having won the IAAF Race Walking Challenge in Cixi along with the national title in February. Jiang, who also finished second in the 2004 World Cup but was disqualified at this year's World Championships, bounced back nicely to finish second in 1:28:14. Shi Na was third in 1:28:24.
2000 Olympic champion, Wang Liping, who was second in the 2001 Games, was 11th today in 1:32:39. Song Hongjuan's season ended with in disappointment. The fastest Chinese in Helsinki where she was ninth, could not finish the race today.
Day five will feature finals in the men's and women's 200, 800 and 400m hurdles. In the only field event final, Huang Qiuyan and Xie Limei are expected to battle for the top spot in the women's Triple Jump. In 2001, Huang won with an Asian record of 14.72, and has reached 14.58 this season. She was recently beaten by 19-year-old Xie Limei at the Asian Championships, where Xie reached a 14.38 personal best.
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Mirko Jalava for the IAAF
