HANGZHOU, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The first competition day of athletics at the Hangzhou Asian Games saw China achieve a 1-2 finish in four events here on Friday.
In the opener, Zhang Jun, who posted the world's second-fastest time this season, pocketed his first-ever major title in the men's 20km race walk in one hour and 23 minutes, followed by his teammate Wang Zhaozhao with one minute and eight seconds behind. The newly-crowned Asian champion Yutaro Murayama of Japan took the bronze in 1:24:41.
Zhang, who failed to make a podium finish at last month's World Championships in Budapest, said he had learned his lessons from the worlds and improved his techniques in the past month.
In the women's event, world record holder Yang Jiayu, who also missed out on the podium in Budapest, overtook her compatriot Ma Zhenxia in the final meters to defend her title in 1:30:03.
In the evening session, women's throwing events witnessed veterans' strength. Tokyo Olympic champion Gong Lijiao, a four-time Asiad participant, won her third gold in a row in the women's shot put with 19.58 meters, an average result for her this season.
Gong, 34, who had just added another bronze to her worlds medal collection, shared her feelings over her Asian Games experiences after the match.
"It has become harder and harder for me to compete. I had a lot of difficulties in distributing my energy. But winning for the third consecutive time and helping China win 12 times in a row at the Asiad make me feel very proud," said Gong, adding that she would not quit until the Paris Olympics.
The silver also went to China as Song Jiayuan, the Universiade champion in Chengdu last month, finished with 18.92m. India's Kiran Baliyan ranked third with 17.36m.
Another seasoned thrower Wang Zheng got her first Games gold medal with a 71.53-meter performance in women's hammer throw. The 35-year-old burst into tears on the shoulder of her compatriot Zhao Jie, who bagged silver with 69.44m.
"I know I didn't show the best of myself today because I wanted it so much. This is my fourth Asiad, and I have already had three silvers in the past 13 years. Today my dream finally comes true," said the emotional Wang.
The other gold of the day went to Bahrain as Violah Motosio clinched the women's 10,000m gold with a personal-best 31 minutes 43.73 seconds, with Japan's Ririka Hironaka and Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui of Kazakhstan placing second and third respectively.
