JOIN USNational record holder KT Irfan finished a creditable fifth in a top-class field in the IAAF 20km Race Walking Challenge event held at Taicang, China, on Friday.
Irfan, who finished 10th in 2012 London Olympics with a national record, clocked one hour 20 minutes and 59 seconds, the second best timing of his career. Ifran’s national record stands at 1:20:21.
Reigning Olympic champion and one of the home favourites to win the race, Chen Ding withdrew mid-way into the race which was held under wet and chilly conditions. The low temperature and continuous rain and wind troubled the walkers. Several athletes almost fell down at the wet and slippy course at the start of the race.
Another Chinese Li Jianbo, a specialist over 50km and a seventh-placer at London, clocked 1:18:52 to emerge champion in the men’s race.
Jianbo was three seconds ahead of team-mate and London fourth placer Cai Zelin with Australia’s three-time Olympic medallist Jared Tallent finishing third in 1:20:41.
Gaurav 11th
In the women’s section, India’s Gaurav Kumari finished 11th with a personal best effort of 1:40:29.
Sun Huanhuan of China won in one hour 27 minutes 36 seconds, while compatriot Lu Xiuzhi finished 22 secs behind. Asian record-holder and Olympic bronze medallist Shenjie Qieyang completed the Chinese sweep with 1:28:27.