GUANGZHOU, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Local favorite Mo Jiadie's bid for a third gold medal at China's 15th National Games unraveled in the final meters of the women's 400m on Tuesday, as Liu Yinglan of Sichuan overtook her in the rain to win in 51.75 seconds.
Two-time Asian U20 champion Liu, 20, chopped more than a full second off her personal best - previously 52.76 set in August - with a decisive kick over the last 30 meters.
"I wasn't completely confident coming in," Liu said. "I just wanted to push, and in the end I held on and drove through the finish."
Persistent rain and temperatures dropping to 13 degrees Celsius made conditions difficult, but Liu said they simply had to adapt. "The weather wasn't ideal, but we have to adjust. This gold medal represents a new beginning for me - it's my first major title since moving up from the youth ranks to senior competition."
Mo, representing Guangdong, took silver in 51.87. She acknowledged the weather but said fatigue in the closing meters had proved decisive.
"The conditions affected everyone, but I was just tired at the end," said Mo, who had entered the race having already won the women's 400m hurdles and the 4x400m mixed relay at these Games. She said missing out on a third title brought no disappointment. "This is my third National Games. I have no regrets. Running this time today, in this weather, is something I'm proud of."
In the men's 400m, national record holder Liu Kai of Shandong clocked 45.77 seconds, earning the 19-year-old his first National Games gold.
"I'm thrilled," Liu said. "To win in a field this strong, and in tough weather, means a lot. I haven't thought much about the next goal yet, but I really hope to get a good result at next year's Asian Games."
In the men's long jump, World University Games and Asian Championships winner Shu Heng opened with an 8.17-meter leap and never relinquished his lead. The mark fell just five centimeters short of his personal best.
"I wanted to go beyond my PB today, but winning the gold still makes me very happy," Shu said, adding that the shifting winds made attempts unpredictable.
"Sometimes it was tailwind, sometimes headwind. I was just waiting for a good wind to take a strong jump." said Shu.
World Championships bronze medalist Shi Yuhao of Jiangsu failed to qualify for the final after fouling on all three attempts in the preliminary round.
The women's 5,000m saw 12 athletes set personal bests. Liang Tiantian of Henan claimed the title in 15:09.85.
The men's 5,000m produced similar depth, with all the top 10 finishers breaking the 14-minute barrier. Yu Shuiqing of Liaoning won in 13:36.89.
In the women's pole vault, Wei Lingxia of Jiangxi cleared 4.30 meters and edged Du Rui of Sichuan on countback. Hu Haoran of Hunan won in the men's javelin with a season-best 81.60-meter, and the men's hammer throw final saw Wang Qi of Jiangsu take gold at 73.28 meters. Enditem
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