SANYA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Paris 2024 bronze medalist Song Jiayuan won the women's shot put with a throw of 19.15 meters on Saturday, claiming China's first-ever beach athletics gold at the ongoing Asian Beach Games.
Song opened strongly with 18.57m on her first attempt and never relinquished the lead. The clear favorite underlined her dominance in Asia by producing a season's best of 19.15m with her sixth and final throw. Teammate Zhang Linru took silver with 18.27m, while Wu Ci-En of Chinese Taipei earned bronze with a season's best of 16.40m.
"When I entered the field, I tried to stay relaxed, and that helped me take control with my first attempt," Song told Xinhua. "Before the last attempt, I calmed my nerves and tried to enjoy the competition. I was able to execute my technique normally and achieved my best result of the day."
"This is my best finish at an international event since undergoing surgery last year, and the small goal I set before the competition has been achieved. I hope to perform even better in the future," added the 28-year-old.
In the men's 60m final, Thailand's Puripol Boonson crossed the line first in 6.62 seconds for a new personal best. China's Huang Youchao took silver in 6.67, with compatriot Liu Yang claiming bronze in 6.74. Huang set a season's best, while Liu lowered his personal best in the final.
"I am very satisfied with the result because it far exceeded my expectations. It has given me greater confidence," said Huang, a Chinese national indoor champion. "I still need to improve my finishing speed in the last part of the race, and I will work on that."
In the women's 60m, Boonson's teammate Jirapat Khanonta clocked 7.46 seconds to take gold. China's Xu Jialu finished second in 7.49, with Jessica Rose Laurance of the Philippines third in 7.52.
In the men's long jump, Pham Van Nghia of Vietnam took gold with a second-round leap of 7.44m. Tao Yege earned silver for host China with 7.41m in his fifth attempt.
The remaining four beach athletics events, including the women's 4x60m relay, men's 4x60m relay, women's high jump and men's shot put, will be contested on Sunday. ■
