Chinese athletics sensation Yan Ziyi redefined sporting excellence at Sunday's 2025 Chinese Athletics Championships, hurling the javelin 65.89 meters to break her own Under-20 world record by over a meter. The 17-year-old's golden throw capped a dramatic comeback after battling early setbacks and a mid-competition ankle injury in Quzhou.
Yan's fifth-round triumph marked her fourth U20 record revision since April 2022, when she first made history at just 15 years old. "This victory proves that perseverance conquers physical limits," the rising star told state media after receiving medical attention, her right ankle wrapped in bandages.
The championships witnessed multiple historic performances, including Zhang Jiale's 77.24-meter hammer throw world record on Saturday. Teen sprinter Liu Kai also electrified the track with a 45.06-second 400m national record, while Deng Xinrui joined China's sub-10.10-second 100m club with a 10.06-second dash.
Analysts note these achievements highlight China's growing dominance in field events, with the country producing seven of the last ten U20 javelin world record holders. Sports economists suggest such successes could boost sponsorship interest ahead of major international competitions.
