China had won four medals at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing coming into Friday's action, but none of them were golds. That changed in the women's 20 km race walk, as Liu Hong and Lv Xiuzhi earned a one-two finish.

China's Liu Hong (R) celebrates with China's Lu Xiuzhi after finishing in first and second places respectively in the final of the women's 20 kilometres race walk athletics event at the 2015 IAAF World Championships at the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium in Beijing on August 28, 2015.

World record-holder Liu Hong and the rest of the competitors started off at the Bird's Nest. And the Chinese athlete set the pace along with her compatriot Lv Xiuzhi, who is a former Asian record-holder in the discipline.

The duo set a good pace as they traversed through the capital's streets. And they got a rousing ovation as they entered the National Stadium.

Liu was first, finishing in 1 hour 27 minutes and 45 seconds to win her first major title at her fifth World Championships.

The 21-year-old Lv got the silver medal; Lyudmyla Olyanovska of Ukraine came third.

"It has been difficult; there was a lot of pressure today. I also need to thank my teammate Lv Xiuzhi. We cooperated really well. The most important thing is that we kept in contact with each other throughout the race," Liu said.

"Liu Hong won first and I took second. We have brought glory to China. It is not necessary to say anything else. The first and second is enough," Lv said.

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