Zhao Jie shatters Asian women's hammer throw record at National Throwing Championships

China's Zhao Jie delivered a historic performance in the women's hammer throw at the National Throwing Championships in Chengdu on Friday, landing an impressive toss of 78.22 meters that not only sealed her victory, but also shattered the Asian record set 12 years ago by compatriot Wang Zheng.

The 23-year-old from Jiangsu Province made her mark in Group A, starting strong and unleashing a powerful second attempt that sent the spherical metal implement soaring 78.22 meters, 54 centimeters beyond Wang's previous continental record of 77.68 meters established in 2014. Zhao's remarkable feat also places her among this year's top women's hammer throwers worldwide.

Zhao, who earned the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and finished as the runner-up at last year's Tokyo World Athletics Championships, expressed heightened confidence in the wake of her latest achievement, as she continues to pivot toward preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

Perhaps inspired by Zhao's groundbreaking performance, Shandong's Zhang Jiale found her own stride, reaching a personal best distance of 77.15 meters on her sixth attempt to take second place at this competition in Sichuan Province.