Rio, 20 August 2016 – World record holder Liu Hong of China finally struck Gold medal in the women’s 20km walk at Olympic Games after 4th in 2008 and 3rd in 2012. Twice World champion Liu beat Mexican Maria Guadalupe GONZÁLEZ by 2 seconds in the last 20m of the race with a performance of 1:28:35.
Liu knew that Rio’s soaring heat and strong winds would make difficult to post good timings so she decided to play waiting game and followed her opponents till the end where she was confident of her sprinting ability towards the end of the race.
“I knew I could sprint faster in the end” said Liu after. “I have been walking for last 15 years and today I fulfill of dream of being an Olmypic champion” further she said before rushing to meet her husband who was cheering her all the way.
LU Xiuzhi, young emerging walker also from China secured Bronze medal in 1:28:42.
