73-member squad announced for China at World Athletics Championships

China on Saturday announced their 73-member team for the coming World Athletics Championships that will begin in Tokyo from September 13.

The squad is led by world champions Yang Jiayu and Gong Lijiao, featuring 41 men and 32 women across 33 events. As a 36-year-old shot-putter, Gong will compete in her 10th worlds after having previously won two gold, two silver and four bronze medals. Meanwhile, women's 20-kilometer race walk world record holder Yang will be hoping to build on her convincing victory at last year's Paris Olympic Games.

The team also includes 2022 women's discus world champion Feng Bin, men's triple jump Olympic silver medalist Zhu Yaming, and Wu Ruiting, who broke the men's triple jump Asian record that had stood for nearly 16 years last month.

A couple of debutants in the squad include 18-year-old Zhang Jiale, who has broken the Under-20 women's hammer world record twice this season and race walker Ma Li, who will take part in the women's 20km and 35km events.