In Huangshan, a city in the Anhui province of eastern China, famous for its scenic beauty where the Huangshan mountains are located, which in 1990 were included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Saturday and Sunday will take place the traditional March 2019 opening race walking srping championships for Chinese walkers.
More than 650 walkers are scheduled for departure in the various categories.
The races, which will assume the greatest importance, will be 50 km. man and women that will be valid as qualifying races for the World Championships in Doha.
The weather in Huangshan these days is quite cold. At 7.30 (departure time of 50km) the temperature is around 4° - 5°, while around noon it is about 12°. Conditions that should be ideal for walkers. A light rainy will also be scheduled tomorrow.
50km men (87 entered athletes - 75 at the start)
The big favorite of the race is Wang Qin (# 218).
Fifth in the World Cup last year and silver medalist at the Asian Games, the Shanxi boy hopes to improve his personal record and walk around 3:42:00 - 3:43:00. Several rivals who aspire to a placement useful for the qualification. There could be many surprises with young athletes who aspire to a place for the World Championships. Wang Rui (# 208) is among the best known; Jin Xianqian (at his first 50km, but in great shape), the veteran Bian Tongda and the Junnan athlete: Men Zhongkai (# 238).
After the confirmation we will have 75 athletes at the start.
50km women: (23 entered athletes - 17 at the start)
There are many expectations on this race. The hope is to break down the 4:00:00 wall with the new world record.
At least 5 athletes will fight for the podium. The fovours of the eve are to the winner of the World Cup, Liang Rui (# 315), but the Tibetan Li Maocuo (# 348); the Junnan girl: Wang Yingliu (# 375); the world vice-champion of London: Yin Hang (# 335) and the World and Olympic champion Liu Hong (# 302) (at her first experience on distance) after the good return after maternity in Kobe (1:27:53), will certainly fight and will attend a highly spectacular and hard-fought race. Unfortunately one of the last on the distance.
After the confirmation we will have 17 athletes at the start.
The two 20km which will take place Sunday March 10, are less important. The selection for the world championships will take place in Taicang on May 11-12, during the IAAF Race Walking Challenge.
20km men (121 entered athletes) - 8:00
The likely winner will be Wang Kaihua (# 117) (silver in the World Cup last year and gold at the Asian Games). It will be interesting to see the growth of some young people who last year did well on a youth level.
20km women (72 entered athletes) - 9:50
Presumable duel with three among: the world champion Yang Jiayu (# 334); the Olympic silver tibetan in London and silver in the World Cup Qieyang Shenjie (# 349) (in this last week is not the best because of a slight colds), and the home athlete Lu Xiuzhi (# 301) (third in the Rio Games).
The girl born in Huangshang after the disappointing last season wants to redeem and is announced in good condition. Also in this race there is waiting for the performance of some very young athlete.