Huangshan (CHN) hosts the races of the first day of the China Grand Prix. The tests are also valid as a selection for the World Race Walk Team Championships in Taicang in the month of May.
In the Chinese morning of the two 20km (men and women) are held, while in the afternoon the races reserved for the U20 on 10km and U18 will take place.
20km men
The storms of the night have left a high percentage of humidity, but the temperature at the start is not very high.
Eighty two athletes at the start of the men's 20km race.
Victory to Wang Kaihua (CHN) in 1:19:45 (he dominated the race by detaching the lead group after 8 km.)
Second place to Gao Yingchao (CHN) in 1:20:31 (he was the surprise of the day, Born in 1998, has good elasticity in race walk even if he has to better refine his technique)
Third place to Cai Zelin (CHN) in 1:20:38, who came back to compete after a sabbatical year in which he had competed only, and without success, at the Chinese Games.
Split times of Cai Zelin: 5 km.= 20:43 - 10 km. = 40:35 (19:52) - 15 km. =1:00:37 (20:02) - ultimi 5 km. = 20:01
Cai Zelin preceded Yunnan team-mate (and training in Saluzzo, ITA) Jin Xiangqian (CHN) who finished in 1:20:56.
Difficult race for Jin after just 5 km. he had already accumulated two red cards. Forced to slow down the pace at the 12th km. he was in 9th position. With a nice finish he managed to qualify for Taicang.
Split times of Jin Xiangqian: 5 km = 20.443 - 10 km. = 40:54 (8:11) - 15 km. = 1: 00: 57 (20:03) - last 5 km. = (20:01)
As often happens in the races in China high was the numbers of those who left the race for withdrawal (10 DNF) but also that of disqualifications (8 DQ).
20km women
In the women's race, the fight for the victory was until the finish line.
Today the Tibetan Qieyang Shenjie (CHN) won in 1:27:36 in front of the World Championship in London Yang Jiayu (CHN) accreditated of the same time.
Third place for Yunnan athlete Wang Yingliu (CHN) in 1:28:37.
Around 4 km. a small group of heads is formed with the first seven that will then reach the finish line. Passage to 5 km. in 22:21. Before 10 km. remain in the lead in three (Qieyang, Yang and Lu), passage to 10 km. in 44:19 (9:58). Wang Yingliu is about ten seconds behind. The others are already separated by over 30". About 12 km., Almost inexplicably, Lu Xiuzhi comes off, which will face an increasingly marked crisis and will be reached in the last 3/4 km. from Wang Na (4th), Yang Liujng (5th) and Ge Sangzhouma (6th). The Rio bronze medal will end in 7th position (1:31:04) in pain and tear.
Meanwhile, the leading couple passes to 15 km. in 1:05:52 (9:33). The Tibetan Qieyang tries to increase the pace and for about 3 km. walks around 4:15 am to km. Yang Jiayu does not give up a centimeter and so Qieyang decides to get behind him. The pace drops immediately (about 4:25) awaiting the final sprint. A flight that seems to be resolved in favor of Qieyang, who at the 100 meters gains a dozen meters. The world champion, however, does not give up and almost at the finish line, for a while, does not mock the Tibetan. Last 5 km. walked in 21:44. (last km in 4:10).
Thirty-eight athletes at the start of which 28 have completed the race and 10 DNF
10km U20 men
The infernal heat is made by the master.
The 10km U20 men's race also saw a high number of athletes (64) at the start.
As many as three athletes have finished the test with a time under 41:00 which is at this time the world's international elite for U20s.
The victory went to Zhang Yao (CHN) in 40:32 which currently represents the fourth seasonal world best, behind the performances of Hiroto Jushuo (JPN - 40:14 in Kobe on Feb. 18, 2018), Suzuki Takumi (JPN - 40:21 in Kobe on Feb 18, 2018) and Salavat Ilkayev (RUA - ANA - 40:24 in Sochi on Feb. 18, 2018).
This result is also the athlete's new personal best on 10km road walk (previous of 41:14 established in Lugano, SUI on March 19, 2017).
Second place to Wang Zhaozhao (CHN) in 40:42.
Third place to Sun Suhai (CHN) in 40:47 only 6" from the personal best (40:41) obtained here in Huangshan in the passed edition passed on March 4, 2017.
10km U20 women
Victory to Ma Li (CHN) in 44:15
Second place to Li Wenxiu (CHN) in 44:46
Third place to Yang Weiwei (CHN) in 45:59
10km U18 uomini
Victory to Wang Zhenhao (CHN) in 43:01
Second place to Gao Xianglong (CHN) in 43:20
Third place to Song Minghui (CHN) in 43:25
5km U18 donne
Victory to Wu Quanming (CHN) in 21:41
Second place to Peng Li (CHN) in 22:38
Third place to Xu Jianing (CHN) in 42:49
Full results in the section Results or directly download from this link: click here
More photos in the photo album: click here