China breaks gold drought at Beijing World Championships with one-two in 20km walk
Liu Hong and Lu Xiuzhi thrash rest of the field in women's event
China picked up a first gold medal at their home world athletics championships when Liu Hong led Lu Xiuzhi across the line after the duo blew away the field in the women’s 20 kilometre walk on Friday.
Both were given a rapturous applause as Liu crossed the line in the iconic Birds Nest Stadium in a time of one hour 27 minutes and 45 seconds, just ahead of compatriot Lu, with the duo having gone step for step together throughout the race.
The world record-holder and title favourite broke clear early alongside Lu, and they built a massive lead in the roasting morning heat.
“Near the end of the race we spoke about whether we were going to really fight it out to the finish line, because we knew we already had a gold for China,” said Liu, suggesting seniority may have been a factor in the result. ”But my little sister said, ’Let’s go into the stadium as we are.’”
The pair entered the stadium in conversation and embraced after the line before going on a lap of honour together.
