China won their first gold medal of their home World Athletics Championships by sweeping a 1-2 finish in the women’s 20k walk in Beijing.
Liu Hong took gold, with Lu Xiuzhi the silver as both crossed the line together having led from pretty much the start, holding an early lead of two seconds over Anezka Drahatová of the Czech Republic and Eleonora Giorgi of Italy at the 5km mark.
This had increased to 26 seconds by halfway, with Drahatová and Giorgi joined by Italian Elisa Rigaudo, Lyudmyla Olyanovska of Ukraine and Erica De Sena of Brazil.
The chasing bunch did take some time off the leading Chinese pair over the next five kilometres, but Liu and Lu were still leading by 21 seconds at the 15k mark over Olyanovska, Giorgi and Riguado – and the latter two would be disqualified in the final 5k for repeated warnings over technique.
Liu and Lu entered the packed Birds Nest together, and in what looked like a pre-ordained agreement, Lu remained in second place a pace behind overall winner Liu.
Both recorded 1 hour 27 minutes 45 seconds, with Olyanovska coming third 28 seconds behind.
It’s China’s first gold of the week, and they now have six medals overall – the third highest tally with Poland, behind the USA’s twelve and Kenya’s eleven. Kenya have won the most golds – six.
Chinese tactics are expected to be similar tonight (12:30am) when Rob Heffernan defends his men’s 50k walk crown, with Brendan Boyce and Alex Wright for company.
Four titles will be decided in the evening session – the women’s 200m, 100m hurdles and long jump, plus the men’s 110m hurdles.
Will Downing, Beijing