London, 10 Aug: At last, after years of competing in the finals of major events, China’s Lijiao Gong finally won her first World Championship title in the women’s Shot Put with a massive throw of 19.94m. Her efforts were praiseworthy considering slippery conditions of London Stadium. Gong has reached every global outdoor final since the 2007 World Championships when she finished seventh in Osaka at the age of 18.
It is also 26 year long wait for China to see another gold in women shot put.
Gong Lijiao said “I was a bit worried about my condition because two years ago I was heading for gold and I changed a couple of things after the Olympic Games in Rio. I competed more this year to be ready for these championships.
“It is 26 years since China won a shot put medal, so it’s a very special moment for me. Of course, the rain affected the competition and that is the reason we didn’t go past 20 metres tonight.
“My next goal is, of course, the Tokyo Olympics. My memories of London 2012 are mixed because I was third originally, then I was moved to second later. I didn’t like the way that happened. So I am glad to show all the hard work I’ve done in the past with this gold medal.”
