In a thrilling display of endurance and skill, Yang Jiayu secured the gold medal for the Chinese mainland in the women’s 20-kilometer race walk at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics on Thursday. This victory marks China’s 11th gold medal at this year’s Games in the French capital.
Yang crossed the finish line with a season-best time of 1 hour, 25 minutes, and 54 seconds. She stood atop the podium ahead of Spain’s María Pérez, who clocked 1:26:19, and Australia’s Jemima Montag, who finished in 1:26:25.
As the world record holder in the event with a time of 1:23:49, Yang added an Olympic gold to her impressive résumé. Previously, she captured global attention by becoming the world champion at the 2017 World Championships in London.
From the outset of the race, Yang established a commanding lead, completing the first kilometer in just 4 minutes and 22 seconds. Maintaining her pace, she reached the 10-kilometer mark at 43:06, creating a significant gap ahead of her competitors.
By the 15-kilometer point, Yang had extended her lead over Pérez to 30 seconds. Despite a determined effort by the Spanish athlete to narrow the margin in the final kilometers, Yang demonstrated remarkable composure and stamina to secure the gold medal.
“It’s an incredible feeling to win gold at the Olympics,” Yang said after the race. “I am proud to represent my country and bring this honor to the Chinese people.”
Yang’s victory adds to China’s growing medal tally and underscores the nation’s strength in race walking on the world stage. Her performance also inspires young athletes across Asia, showcasing the heights that can be achieved with dedication and perseverance.
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Yang Jiayu wins women's 20km race walk gold for China at Paris 2024
cgtn.com
