Shi Shengji of China celebrates after the Men's Half Marathon Race Walk Final of Athletics at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
NAGOYA, Japan, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- China swept both half-marathon race walk titles at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Wednesday, with Shi Shengji claiming the first athletics gold of the Games before Yang Liujing won the women's crown.
The half-marathon race walk, contested over 21.0975 kilometers, is being held at the Asian Games for the first time. It replaced the 20km race walk on the program following World Athletics' change to the standard senior road race walking distances this season.
Shi and Toshikazu Yamanishi passed the 5km mark together in 19 minutes and 44 seconds. Shi then moved clear and was leading alone by 10km. Yamanishi and compatriot Kento Yoshikawa each had to serve a two-minute penalty after receiving three red cards.
The 19-year-old finished the men's race in one hour, 23 minutes and 32 seconds, beating Japan's world record holder Yamanishi, who took silver in 1:28:01. South Korea's Choe Byeongkwang won bronze in 1:28:35.
Shi said his plan had been to follow the leaders for much of the race, but he decided to take the lead when he saw their pace drop. He credited close attention to technique in training for avoiding the penalties that affected several rivals.
Speaking about the Chinese team, Yamanishi said: "I have long been aware of the strength of Chinese race walkers. Many talented young athletes have emerged since last year in particular. We are learning from them while also challenging them."
Yoshikawa, who finished seventh in the 20km race walk at last year's world championships, placed fourth. China's Li Chenjie was disqualified after receiving four red cards.
Chin Man Kit of Hong Kong, China finished fifth in 1:34:26. Chinese Taipei's Lo Sheng-qin and Chan Yung-kuei placed sixth and eighth, respectively.
In the women's race, Yang and teammate Jiang Yunyan led from the start. Yang held on to win in 1:33:40 after Jiang was sent to the penalty area. Kazakhstan's Kristina Morozova moved into second and finished in 1:35:25, one second ahead of bronze medalist Jiang.
Yang said the two Chinese athletes had planned to work together. Being left alone in front as fatigue set in was one of the hardest parts of her race, she added.
The athletics competition will run through Sept. 29. ■
Shi Shengji of China celebrates after the Men's Half Marathon Race Walk Final of Athletics at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Shi Shengji of China celebrates after the Men's Half Marathon Race Walk Final of Athletics at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Choe Byeongkwang (rear L) of South Korea, Shi Shengji (front C) and Li Chenjie (rear R) of China, Yamanishi Toshikazu (front R) and Yoshikawa Kento of Japan compete during the Men's Half Marathon Race Walk Final of Athletics at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Shi Shengji of China competes during the Men's Half Marathon Race Walk Final of Athletics at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Shi Shengji of China crosses the finish line during the Men's Half Marathon Race Walk Final of Athletics at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Shi Shengji of China crosses the finish line during the Men's Half Marathon Race Walk Final of Athletics at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Shi Shengji (front L) of China and Yamanishi Toshikazu (front R) of Japan compete during the Men's Half Marathon Race Walk Final of Athletics at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Yang Liujing of China celebrates after the Women's Half Marathon Race Walk Final of Athletics at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Yang Liujing (R) and Jiang Yunyan (C) of China, Kristina Morozova of Kazakhstan compete during the Women's Half Marathon Race Walk Final of Athletics at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Yuchen)
Yang Liujing (R) and Jiang Yunyan of China compete during the Women's Half Marathon Race Walk Final of Athletics at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Yuchen)
Yang Liujing (2nd R) and Jiang Yunyan (2nd L) of China, Kristina Morozova (1st L) of Kazakhstan compete during the Women's Half Marathon Race Walk Final of Athletics at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Yuchen)
Yang Liujing (R) and Jiang Yunyan (L) of China, Kristina Morozova of Kazakhstan compete during the Women's Half Marathon Race Walk Final of Athletics at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Yuchen)
Jiang Yunyan (1st R) and Yang Liujing (2nd R) of China compete during the Women's Half Marathon Race Walk Final of Athletics at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Yuchen)
