Inner Mongolia's Yang Jiayu wins gold in Paris Olympics race walk

Yang Jiayu wins a gold medal in the women's 20-kilometer race walk. [Photo/Inner Mongolia Daily]

On Aug 1, Beijing time, Yang Jiayu from North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region clinched the gold medal in the women's 20-kilometer race walk at the Paris Olympics, finishing with a season-best time of 1 h 25 min 54 sec.

Her victory marks the 11th gold medal for the Chinese delegation at this year's Olympic Games and the fourth gold medal for China in the women's 20-kilometer race walk event at the Olympics.

Born in 1996 in Wuhai, Yang Jiayu began training in race walking in 2010.  

In August 2017, she took gold at the World Athletics Championships in London, setting a personal best time of 1 h 26 min 18 sec in the women's 20-kilometer race walk.

Yang Jiayu arrives at the finish line in the women's 20-kilometer race walk. [Photo/Inner Mongolia Daily]

In 2021, during the National Race Walking Championships and Tokyo Olympic Trials, she shattered the world record in the women's 20-kilometer race walk with a time of 1 h 23 min 49 sec, a record she still holds.

By securing the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, Yang has achieved a remarkable feat in the 20-kilometer race walk, becoming an Olympic champion, World Championships gold medalist, and world record holder.

Yang Jiayu in the women's 20-kilometer race walk at the Paris Olympics. [Photo/Inner Mongolia Daily]