The global sporting community is buzzing with excitement as 41 athletes from China prepare to showcase their prowess in the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Scheduled between August 19 to 27, this event is not just about medals. It represents an essential milestone on the journey to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Setting Expectations High
While China has its eyes set on bagging two to three golds in this biannual extravaganza, the significance of the championships goes beyond just accolades. This competition offers budding athletes the golden chance to rub shoulders with the best, gaining invaluable experience. Moreover, it’s an opportunity to secure more slots for China in the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.
The team composition underscores China’s investment in youth. The average age of the Chinese squad at these championships is 27, a slight dip from the track and field team’s average for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Impressively, out of these participants, 10 were born in the 2000s, reflecting the nation’s strategic bet on the future of its sports.
Recalling Past Glories
Reflecting on past performances can provide context for China’s current aspirations. In the preceding world championships held in Oregon, US, China’s athletes didn’t disappoint. They clinched two golds, one silver, and three bronzes.
Of the standout performers, Wang Jia’nan etched his name in history. He leaped into the annals of sports by becoming the first man from the Chinese mainland to bag a long jump gold in a global championship. Similarly, Feng Bin, with her unyielding spirit, surpassed Olympic champion Valarie Allman and the renowned four-time world champion Sandra Perkovic to secure gold in the women’s discus throw.
The two aforesaid defending champions, Wang and Feng, will undoubtedly be athletes to watch out for. Yet, the roster doesn’t stop impressing there. It includes stalwarts like four-time world champion race walker Liu Hong, Olympic women’s javelin victor Liu Shiying, the formidable Olympic women’s shot put champion Gong Lijiao, and Zhu Yaming, who clinched a silver in men’s triple jump during the Olympics.
Race Walking: China’s Undeniable Strength
Over the years, China has established dominance in race walking, especially in the women’s category. Such is their prowess that the Chinese contingent is widely considered a favorite for medals in the men’s and women’s 35-kilometer race walking as well as the women’s 20-kilometer category.
Two names that resonate globally when talking about race walking are Liu Hong and Yang Jiayu. These athletes, considered among the fastest race walkers ever, will be pitted against each other in the women’s 20 kilometers race walking, promising a spectacle for fans.
The seasoned Liu, at 36, embarks on her eighth journey to the world championships. After returning from retirement in 2018, she showed her enduring class by winning bronze in the Tokyo Olympics. Contrastingly, Yang Jiayu, the reigning world record holder, showcased her form by clocking an impressive 1:26:41 at the World Athletics Race Walking Tour earlier in March. This time ranks her third globally this year.
Another promising name in the race walking scene is Ma Zhenxia. This young talent is under the spotlight as China seeks redemption from their previous performance in Oregon, where the team settled for two bronzes, halting their consecutive gold medal run at five world championships.
In the men’s 35 kilometers category, athletes He Xianghong, Wang Qin, and Zhaxi Yangben are gearing up to make a mark. Notably, He set a scorching new Asian record of 2:22:55 in March, the world’s best this season. Additionally, Wang Qin boasts a personal best of 2:26:37, positioning him sixth globally.
Mighty Women in the Throwing Disciplines
China’s women continue to be a force to be reckoned with in throwing disciplines. Gong Lijiao, an Olympic champion, aims to add a third world title in women’s shot put. This will be her 9th world championship. At 34, she’s also fueled by a quest for redemption, having lost to Chase Ealey of the US in a prior world championship. Her competition intensifies with US shot putter Maggie Ewen and Canada’s Sarah Mitton.
Meanwhile, Feng, with a season best of 66.81 meters, is bracing for tough competition. She ranks fifth globally, while Olympic champion Allman boasts an impressive season best of 70.25 meters.
Wang, the reigning long jump gold medalist, faces challenges of his own. His season’s best jump of 8.26 meters positions him 11th globally, suggesting he needs to surpass himself for a podium finish.
An Unexpected Absence
Regrettably, the upcoming championships won’t feature Chinese sprinters. Although China qualified for the women’s 4×100m relay, the team has redirected its focus toward the Hangzhou Asian Games. Additionally, sprint luminaries Su Bingtian and Xie Zhenye had to withdraw due to injuries, marking the first absence of the Chinese sprint team from the world championships since 2009.
In conclusion, the World Athletics Championships in Budapest promises a thrilling spectacle, and China’s 41 athletes are geared up to leave an indelible mark. Their performances will not only shape the narrative of this event but also set the stage for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
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