Liu Xiang - the first male gold medallist for China (© Getty Images)
The Chinese athletics season came to end in Hefei last weekend (25 / 26 Sep). The two-day National Grand Prix final featured most of their stars, including the 110m hurdles Olympic champion and World record holder Liu Xiang, whose return to competition in his home country created huge media attention.
The 21 year-old who equalled the World record in Athens had his race scheduled for the second of the two days of competition in Hefei because of the numerous people buzzing around him. Every possible media representative wanted to get a quote, along with an infinite number of autographs requested by the fans.
On the track itself Liu Xiang did not disappoint, taking the win in 13.44 to leave Shi Dongpeng, the 2003 World finalist, in second in 13.69.
Athletics hits a new high in China
Two gold medals during the same night in Athens suddenly changed the position of athletics as a sport in China. Before the Olympics media coverage was very negative saying that there was a possibility for Liu to maybe take a medal and then a distant chance for the two women's hammer throwers for a bronze (Zhang Wenxiu and Gu Yuan).
But that night of the 27 August changed everything, with Liu winning the hurdles and Xing Huina following with the gold medal in the women's 10,000m just a little later.
Now both the media and the Chinese people are very positive about Athletics and are eagerly waiting 2008 and the Beijing Olympics.
Xing does not run but aims for Beijing Marathon
Xing Huina did not race in Hefei, she made a last minute decision on Sunday morning just before the 10,000m not to run because of a minor leg injury which she said has been bugging her more or less for the last two years now. But she is trying to get to shape before the Beijing Marathon on October 17 and will challenge Sun Yingjie for the win there. Xing's coach Wang De also said that the celebrations for the Olympic champion have taken time off her training and therefore there was no point in running here. If Xing gets into shape before Beijing, it will be her debut at the marathon distance.
17.23m - Asian Junior Triple Jump record
The two Olympic champions were not the only athletes who gained attention in Hefei. Two junior athletes, both 19 years old, Liu Feiliang and Gu Junjie were also in the headlines. On Saturday, Liu, the World Junior leader in the Pole Vault with 5.55m this season, he was also the bronze medallist in the World Junior Championships, easily won the competition clearing 5.50m and then raised the bar to national record height of 5.63m. He was above the bar with each of his three attempts, but was still not able to clear it this time.
In the Triple Jump on Sunday, Gu Junjie, who didn't make it to the Olympics, made a surprise breakthrough 17 metres for the first time. After fading to only 16.12m on his last try for an Olympic A-standard in late July, he had two months of good training which did the trick. Gu landed at 17.23m, only 11cm below Zhou Zhenxian's national record of 17.34m from 1981, breaking also his own Asian Junior record of 16.92m from last season. Gu is also the only junior in the world during this season over 17m.
Sun Yingjie - 5000m / 10,000m double on the same day!
In the absence of Xing Huina, Sun Yingjie won a double over 5000m and 10,000m during the same day. In the 10,000m, starting at 8.45am, she won with 31:47.23 and then took the 5000m (4.20pm) in 15:41.47.
In the women’s Hammer Zhang Wenxiu took another win following her good form in Yokohama. Her winning mark was 70.39m, the 12th competition over 70m for the 18-year-old. Olympic finalist Gu Yuan faded to third place with 65.87m and was also beaten by Yang Meiping.
The Chinese stars moved immediately to Singapore for the Asian all-star competition. However although both Liu Xiang and Xing Huina are present in the meeting, they will not be racing there.
Mirko Jalava for the IAAF
National Grand Prix Final,
Hefei, 25-26 September, winners (where available)
Men
100m (26): Hu Kai 10.29 PB
400m (25): Wang Liangyu 46.45
800m (25): Li Xiangyu (85) 1:50.01
1500m (25): Gu Ming 3:49.82
5000m (25): Lin Xiangqian (87) 14:17.88
10000m (26): Han Gang 29:01.65 PB
3000m s (25): Meng Fei (85) 8:44.65
110 m h (26): Liu Xiang 13.44
400m h (26): Meng Yan 50.22
High jump (26): Hu Tong (86) 2.24
Pole vault (25): Liu Feiliang (85) 5.50
Long jump (26): Kuang Li 7.92
Triple jump (26): Gu Junjie (85) 17.23 Asian junior rec
Discus (25): Wu Tao 59.11
Women
100m (26): Liang Yi 11.38 SB
200m (25): Ni Xiaoli 23.12 PB
400m (25): Sun Hongfeng 52.87
800m (25): Liu Xiaoping 2:03.44 SB
1500m (26): Xie Sainan (86) 4:10.29 PB
5000m (26): Sun Yingjie 15:41.47
10000m (26): Sun Yingjie 31:47.23
3000m steeple (25): Li Zhenzhu (85) 9:58.67 PB
100m hurdles (26): Su Yiping 13.24
High jump (26): Jing Xuezhu 1.90
Long jump (25): Guan Yingnan 6.55
Hammer (25): Zhang Wenxiu (86) 70.39
