They were held this morning (leaving at 6 for males, 6.10 for women) the two 20 km. valid for the Asian Games.
In both races 11 athletes at the start. Seven nations were represented in men and eight in women.
Temperature at 24° Celsius - humidity 70%. Compared to the past few days it was a little better. In any case, the weather conditions have affected the athletes a lot.
The race was held at the side of the stadium where competitions are held on the track. An incredibly large audience (about 3/4 thousand people) considering the departure time.
20km men
Very slow start and group of seven athletes arriving at 8km. all together.
Then Wang Kaiwa definitely forces the pace and remain in three: the two Chinese and the Japanese Yamanishi.
Passage to 10 km. 42:06. Shortly after Jin Xiangqian also comes off. The two lead continue paired on a decidedly fast pace.
At 15 km. thesplit time is 1:02:02 (in 19.56 was covered the theird 5 km from 10km to 15km).
Jin is already off by 1:30.
The final decision 500 meters from the arrival when Wang Kaiwa places a stretch to which Yamanishi can not answer.
Arrival victorious for Chinese in 1:22: 04 (last 2 km in 7:51 - last 5 km in 20:02).
At 6" the athlete of Japan takes the silver(1:22:10)
Third place to Jin detached of 3:37 (1:25:41)
20km women
The race has lived on the exciting duel between the world champion, Yang Jiayu and the Olympic silver medalist, Qieyang Shenjie. The others have had to settle for fighting for the bronze medal.
Parallel race for the two Chinese representatives, always paired to control each other.
The only moment that could prove decisive around 11° km. when Qieyang attacked with a nice change of pace bringing up to 7" advantage. Yang Jiayu after a brief relaxation came back under 2 km.
When the athletes are again together the pace slows down a lot and the decision is postponed to the final sprint.
The two athletes have passed several times over the last 200 meters, but at 30 meters to the finish Qieyang seemed to have won the match but with a last desperate effort, right on the finish line, Yang Jiayu prevailed.
Split times every 5 km:
- 5 km. = 22.56
- 10 km. = 44.54 (21.58)
- 15 km. = 1:06:45 (9:51)
- 20 km. = 1:29:15 (22:30).
In third place, in the comeback on the Indian Khushbir Kaur, comes the Japanese Kumiko Okada, detached by 4:47 (1:34:02).
Today's race brings direct comparisons of 2018 between Yang Jiayu and Qieyang Shenjie, which we remember had returned to competitions only in September 2017 after a broken maternity due to a serious viral infection, to the following result:
| Competition | Date | Place
Qieyang | Mark
Qieyang | Place
Yang | Mark
Yang |
| | | | | | |
| Huangshan (CHN) - National Champioships | 3.3.2018 | 1° | 1:27:36 | 2° | 1:27:36 |
| Taicang (CHN) - IAAF World Team Championships | 5.5.2018 | 2° | 1:27:06 | 3° | 1:27:22 |
| Jakarta (INA) - Asian Games | 29.8.2018 | 2° | 1:29:15 | 1° | 1:29:15 |
It looks unbelievable, but two of these competitions have been solved on the tape with the same time for both athletes.
In the race that was held with a higher pace to win was Qieyang Shenjie, in the one with a softer pace but the victory went to Yang Jiayu.
On this first day the great Japan - China duel was won by Chinese athletes. two gold, one silver and one bronze medals against the silver and bronze of the Japanese.
Tomorrow in the 50 km. the representatives of the Rising Sun are ready for redemption
Below the start list
