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It was a fitting end for the hometown fans at the Bird’s Nest.
China captured two more medals on the final day of the world championships to cap an unexpectedly successful week with a record nine medals – more than double their total from Moscow two years ago.
“We won medals across the disciplines,” said Du Zhaocai, director of the Chinese athletics association. “It’s a first for us in a world-class event.”


Read all our World Athletics Championships coverage here
On Sunday, Zhang Guowei won a silver medal in the men’s high jump and Lyu Huihui matched him in the women’s javelin. Competing at the same time but on opposite ends of the stadium, Zhang and Lyu had the Bird’s Nest hopping.
Midway through the evening, Zhang celebrated a clean jump by striking a kung fu crane pose – a la “The Karate Kid” – drawing cheers and laughter from the Chinese fans. Moments later, Lyu took the lead in the javelin throw and the stadium roared.
“It just felt great,” said Lyu, who set an Asian record with a throw of 66.13 meters. “It’s my first time to be competing on my own doorstep. There were so many in the crowd supporting me.”


We won medals across the disciplines. It’s a first for us in a world-class event
Du Zhaocai
Zhang, who took up high jumping when he was 15, cleared 2.33 meters to make a jump-off for the gold, but settled for second behind Derek Drouin of Canada after missing his only attempt at 2.34.
It was China’s first high jump medal since Zhang’s boyhood idol, Zhu Jianhua, won bronze at the 1983 world championships.
“A lot of pressure,” the 24-year-old Zhang said. “I did not want to leave the spectators down.”

China’s athletes have been excelling under pressure all week – particularly in events where they don’t have a winning tradition.
Take the long jump. Wang Jianan, a fresh-faced 19-year-old kid from northeastern Liaoning province, shook off a hamstring injury to win the bronze in front of another boisterous crowd, China’s first-ever medal in the event.

Su Bingtian, meanwhile, not only became the first Asian sprinter to reach the men’s 100-metre final at the world championships, he and his teammates also captured a startling silver in the 4x100 relay behind Usain Bolt and the rest of the Jamaican squad.
And race walker Liu Hong finally broke through to win gold in the 20-kilometre walk – the country’s only title at the world championships – after taking home silver and two bronzes at the last three worlds.

Zhang, the high jumper, said he drew inspiration from his podium-hopping teammates this week – even if he didn’t watch them in action.
“I thought I might get too excited,” he said. “The high jump is on the last day of the competition so I wanted to stay calm.”
With China hoping for an encore performance next year in Rio de Janeiro, Zhang may want to tune in for the show.


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2015 IAAF World Championships

Lyu Huihui celebrates her javelin medal. Photo: EPA

Su Bingtian celebrates after the 100m final. Photo: AFP

Gold medalist Liu Hong, left, races alongside compatriot and silver medalist Lu Xiuzhi in the women's 20k race walk. Photo: AP

China's Zhang Guowei celebrates after clearing the bar in the men’s high jump final. Photo: AP

Wang Jianan in action in the long jump. Photo: EPA

Artists perform at the closing ceremony. Photo: AFP

Fans cheer on the last day. Photo: EPA

Lyu Huihui in action in the javelin. Photo: EPA

China's Lyu Huihui can't hide her disappointment after being pipped for gold in the women's javelin at the world championships. Photo: Xinhua

China's Zhang Guowei played to the crowd during his high jump competition. He ended with a silver medal after a tense jump-off for the gold. Photo: AP 

Jamaica’s 4x400m women’s relay team (from left) Christine Day, Novlene Williams-Mills, Shericka Jackson and Stephenie Ann McPherson celebrate victory. Photo: EPA

 Kenya’s Asbel Kiprop wins the men’s 1,500 metres in impressive style from teammate Elijah Motonei Manangoi, Morocco’s Abdalaati Iguider (lower) and Algeria’s Taoufik Makhloufi. Photo: AFP

China breaks gold drought at Beijing World Championships with one-two in 20km walk

Liu Hong (R) and Lu Xiuzhi celebrate. Photo: AFP

Liu and Lu cross the line. Photo: AFP

Liu Hong and Lu Xiuzhi dominated the field. Photo: AP

Liu Hong celebrates as she wins gold. Photo: Reuters

Lightning Bolt strikes again with third gold at worlds, China nets silver to delight of home crowd

Jamaica's Usain Bolt brings home gold in the 4x100m men at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing on Saturday. Photo: EPA

China's Xie Zhenye, Su Bingtian, Zhang Peimeng and Mo Youxue celebrate after the men’s 4x100m relay. The team earned silver after the US was disqualified. Photo: AP

The Jamaican men's 4x100m relay team from left, Nesta Carter, Usain Bolt, Nickel Ashmeade and Asafa Powell. Photo: AP

United States' Allyson Felix, Jasmine Todd, English Gardner and Jenna Prandini celebrate after finishing second in the women’s 4x100m relay final on Saturday. Photo: AP

Usain Bolt takes off as Mike Rodgers (left) receives the baton from his US teammate Tyson Gay outside the exchange area in the men's 4x100m relay final. Photo: Reuters 

Sport

China

Hosts won nine medals in Beijing, more than double their tally from last time


China captured two more medals on the final day of the world championships to cap an unexpectedly successful week with a record nine medals – more than double their total from Moscow two years ago
