World Athletics Championships: Wang clinches first medal for China, Coleman storms to 100m gold
CGTN

Wang Zheng claimed China's first medal at the 2019 IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, while U.S. sprinter Christian Coleman stamped his mark on sprinting with a dominant performance to sweep to the global 100 meters title. 

Wang bagged a bronze with 74.76 meters in the women's hammer throw as American DeAnna Price threw 77.54 meters to take the title. 

"Today I just wanted to perform well, I did not expect to win a medal. I guess my shape must be good because I hit the net three times!" said Wang, who won the silver medal at the London world championships two years ago. 

Later in the day, Coleman, who escaped a doping ban earlier this month on a technicality, swept over the finish line in a world-leading personal best of 9.76 seconds to claim his first major outdoor championship gold medal. 

"I've been blessed with incredible talent and tonight I was able to show it. I have been working incredibly hard and this just makes it all worthwhile," he said.

Deanna Price of the USA wins the world hammer title with Poland's Joanna Fiodorow taking silver and China's Wang Zheng bronze at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, September 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

Deanna Price of the USA wins the world hammer title with Poland's Joanna Fiodorow taking silver and China's Wang Zheng bronze at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, September 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

Coleman paid tribute to his teammate Gatlin, 37, who first won the world championships in 2005 and his Olympic title in 2004. 

"Justin Gatlin is a great guy and great competitor. I remember watching him back in 2004 when I was eight years old and to think all these years later I could come and win gold too is a great feeling," he said. 

Defending champion Justin Gatlin took silver in 9.89sec at the age of 37 while Canada's Andre De Grasse claimed bronze in 9.90 seconds. 

It completed a flawless championship campaign for Coleman, who had been the only man to duck under 10 seconds in both Friday's opening rounds and Saturday's semi-finals. 

Coleman has angrily denied any suggestion he is guilty of taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Coleman let out a roar of triumph as he crossed the line before punching the air in jubilation after a performance which makes him the sixth fastest man in history. 

"It is an incredible time, it is a PR for me. I think the sky's the limit, I think I still have a lot of things I can work on and improve, I think I can keep dropping my time," the indoor 60 meters world record holder said. 

Christian Coleman roars with delight after leaving his rivals trailing to win the 100 meters title at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, September 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

Christian Coleman roars with delight after leaving his rivals trailing to win the 100 meters title at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, September 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

Coleman may be just starting to accrue titles but Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce suggested a fourth 100m women's world crown is in the cards on Sunday. 

The 32-year-old two-time Olympic champion timed an impressive 10.80 seconds, the fastest women's 100m heat in world championship history. 

Jamaica's Tajay Gayle upset the form book to strike men's long jump gold, producing the leap of his life to defeat favorite Juan Miguel Echevarria.

The 23-year-old Gayle launched himself 8.69m with his fourth attempt while Cuba's Echevarria only managed 8.34m for bronze.

Day two concluded with all eyes on the men's and women's 50km walk races, with organizers nervously monitoring the progress of athletes chasing medals in sweltering conditions.

The walks took place 24 hours after a casualty-filled women's marathon, where 28 of 68 starters failed to finish.

However despite steamy conditions on Qatar's waterfront course, the two races largely passed off without the sort of scenes that dogged the marathon, where several exhausted athletes were taken away from the course on stretchers.

Yusuke Suzuki delivers Japan their first ever men's world 50 kilometers walk title at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, September 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

Yusuke Suzuki delivers Japan their first ever men's world 50 kilometers walk title at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, September 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

The men's race was won by Yusuke Suzuki, who became the first Japanese athlete to win the 50km men's race.

Suzuki's pillar was almost outshone by Portugal's silver medallist Joao Vieira who at 43 became the oldest male athlete to win a medal at the world championships. Canada's Evan Dunfee took bronze.

The women's race saw a Chinese 1-2 with Liang Rui taking gold in 4hr 23min 26sec and Li Maocuo the silver.

Italy's Eleonora Giorgi took the bronze and defending champion Ines Henriques failed to finish.

Source(s): AFP ,Xinhua News Agency