China Claim Three Titles in Asiad Athletics Tournament

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, October 10, 2002

China Claim Three Titles in Asiad Athletics Tournament

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China, one of the Asian athletic powerhouses, claimed their expected three titles in the Busan track and field on Wednesday when four Arab countries swept the other four on the third day of the 14th Asiad athletics competitions.

In the fight for seven gold medals on offer, Chinese athlete Gao Shuying, who set the Asian record of women's pole vault at 4.52 meters in Beijing last year, took an easy win in the event with4.35 meters.

Gao, 23, cleared the height in her second attempt, raising the Asiad record from 4.00 meters to 4.35 meters. She contributed the fourth gold to the Chinese Asiad athletics team, which put China in lead over other Asian countries and regions in track and field.

Gao said, "This is the first time for me to participate in the Asian Games. I am very glad to get this gold medal."

Gao's coach Shi Meichuang said, "Gao did not break the Asian record today because her major task this year is to adjust her form. Her best form will emerge in Athens."

Liu Xiang, Chinese ace 110m hurdler, dashed home first in 13.27seconds, exceeding the Asiad record of 13.30 seconds, and giving China the fifth athletics gold in Busan.

Liu, who had set the new Asian record of 13.12 seconds in Lausanne earlier this year, said, "It is my first Asian Games and I am very happy to get the gold."

Liu's result was not ideal because "he raised his hands to celebrate near the finish. This affected his speed." Liu's coach Sun Haiping said.

China's third athletics gold on Wednesday came from the women's shot put. Li Meiju, 21, heaved 18.62 meters to take the title. Li,who boasts her best result of 18.92 meters in the last two years, said that her first aim in the future is to advance to the top eight in the 2004 Athens Olympics and the second is to win the Olympic title in Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

"It usually needs ten years to nurture an ace shot put athlete in the world. But I wish to spend only five years to make Li a world-class competitor, or at least an athlete who can heave the iron ball over 20 meters." Li's coach He Zengsheng said.

The track and field on Wednesday was also highlighted by four Arab countries which swept the other four golds by upsetting Japan, another athletics powerhouse in Asia.

Rashid Mohamed from Bahrain grabbed the men's 800m race gold in one minute and 47.12 seconds. Mohamed, 20, took the lead only 100 meters to go and maintained his advantage to the finish.

Before today's game, Mohamed's best result in the recent two years was 1:48.67.

Mohamed said, "This is also my best result, and I contributed the first gold to my team."

Salem Mowallad from Saudi Arabia clinched the men's triple jump gold in 16.60 meters. Shammari Fawzi of Kuwait won the title of men's 400 meters in 44.93 seconds.

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Gao Shuying Wins Women's Pole Vault Asiad Gold

China's Liu Xiang Grips Gold in 110m Hurdles at Asiad

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