China's Wang Hao (L) and his teammate Chu Yafei celebrate after the men's 20km race walking final of Athletics at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 21, 2010. Wang Hao won the gold medal in a time of 1 hour, 20 minutes and 50 seconds. Chu Yafei won the silver medal. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
GUANGZHOU, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- World silver medalist Wang Hao grabbed the first track and field gold for China at the 16th Asian Games here on Sunday by winning the men's 20 kilometers title.
Wang dominated the race to clock one hour 20 minutes and 13 seconds, which was his season best. His compatriot Chu Yafei trailed in 1:21:57 to take the silver, while the bronze went to South Korean Kim Hyunsub in 1:22:47.
"My result is not good enough," said the 21-year-old Wang, runner-up of the event at 2009 Berlin Worlds. "But it's my season best, so I am satisfied with it."
"I controlled the rhythm of the race and my teammate Chu cooperated with me very well," said Wang, who was China's third male athlete to win a medal in the history of the World Championships. "I am happy to win the first track and field gold, and I hope it will be a good start for China."
Wang said the gold medal was expected. "I trained really hard before the Asian Games, and there are not many rivals in Asia, so the race was not tough," he said. "My goal is to have good results at 2012 London Olympic Games."
Wang was bothered by a tibia injury since the last year and only finished second in the 50km walk at the 2009 National Games.
"My leg hurts since the year but it did affect my result," said Wang, fourth in the event at Beijing Olympic Games. "So I am not in my best form now. I will do some adjustment after the Asian Games."
South Korean Kim was considered the biggest rival before the race. "Kim's season best was 1:19:36, which was the world third best result this year and it was better than mine. So I did some preparation for it," Wang said.
Kim was a little disappointed about his bronze medal. "It's not my best time," he said. "I didn't walk well."
China's Wang Hao celebrates his victory in the men's 20km race walking final of Athletics at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 21, 2010. Wang Hao won the gold medal in a time of 1 hour, 20 minutes and 50 seconds. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
