Xie Zhenye (C) of Zhejiang competes during the men's 200m final on Day 3 of the 2020 Chinese National Athletics Championships in Shaoxing, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Jia Yuchen)
Asia's leading sprinter Xie Zhenye eased to a win in the men's 200m race at the National Championships.
SHAOXING, China, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese sprinter Xie Zhenye dashed to a 20.72 second win in the men's 200m at the 2020 Chinese National Athletics Championships here on Thursday.
Rain grew heavier throughout the night, causing problems for the athletes, but Asian record holder Xie still showed his dominance in the men's 200m. The 27-year-old took the lead early and never looked back, rushing to the finish line in 20.72 seconds.
"The result didn't meet my expectations, I was thinking about 20.50s or so," said Xie.
Rising star Yan Haibin finished second in 20.86s. The 17-year-old said he was satisfied with what he achieved. "I feel excited as the gap between Xie and I was narrowed."
Speaking of Ge Manqi, who was disqualified in the women's 200m because of a false start, Xie said: "I feel so sorry for her. She made the mistake because she was eager to prove herself so much."
Li Ling of Zhejiang competes during the Women's Pole Vault Final on Day 3 of the 2020 Chinese National Athletics Championships. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Earlier in the day in the women's 200m, Kong Lingwei won in 23.64s as favorite Ge failed to finish the race.
"I feel unhappy even though I won. The result is not good, my friend Ge could have done better than me," said Kong.
The 22-year-old Ge set a new personal best of 22.69s this May, aiming to qualify for the postponed Tokyo Olympics final. "I was too hasty to concentrate, when I heard some noise I thought it was the gun," she said.
In the women's pole vault, nobody conquered the height of 4.40 meters because of the wet surface. Song Tingting, Niu Chunge, and Asian champion Li Ling shared the same height of 4.30m, but Song won the title because she jumped the 4.30m mark in her first attempt.
Feng Zhiqiang and Mo Jiadie came first in the men's and women's 400m hurdles respectively. Xu Shuangshuang won the women's 5,000m. In the field events, Luo Na won the women's hammer throw with 69.19m, while Wu Ruiting ranked first in the men's triple jump. ■
