China top women's 4x100m relay with world leading time

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China's hot streak continued as it emerged triumphant in the women's 4x100m relay before Li Ling clinched the women's pole vault title on the third day of Asian Athletics Championships in Doha.

The women's 4x100m relay saw the Chinese girls completing a championship record and world-leading time of 42.87 seconds. Consisting of Liang Xiaojing, Wei Yongli, Kong Lingwei and Ge Manqi, China surpassed their own record in a time of 43.10 running in 2015 and took revenge to Bahrain.

Kazakhstan, led by 100m winner Olga Safronova, was second in 43.36. Bahrain claimed third in 43.61.

"We lost to Bahrain in the previous Championships and today we are eager to win. We feel good both in form and race this time," said China's Liang Xiaojing, who has an eye on the World Championships in Doha later this September.

Also, the Khalifa International Stadium sees a thrilling debut of 4x400m mixed relay at the Asian Athletics Championships as Bahrain grabbed gold.

China's first gold came in the pole vault when Asian record holder Li Ling captured a third continental title in the event.

China's Asian record holder Li Ling comes out on top in the women's pole vault. /VCG Photo

A first attempt clearance at 4.46m already secured gold for Li while she passed to 4.61m. The only frustrating moment of the day is that she then had the bar raised to 4.71m, five centimeters better than the championships record she set in Wuhan four years ago, but didn't come to a close. Teammate Xu Huiqin finished the second in 4.36m.

Later in men's 4x100m relay, Xie Zhenye-led China were the first team to go across the line ahead of a Thai quartet that had sped to a 38.72 championship record in the heats. However, they were later disqualified for a lane infraction when the runner Wu Zhiqiang stepped out of his lane on the opening bend, giving Thailand the victory in a time of 38.99.

The disqualification also gave Oman the first medal of the championships after they were upgraded to bronze behind Chinese Taipei in 39.18.

Finished in another six medals with two of them gold on that day, China still dominate the tournament while another giant Bahrain, courtesy of their powerful middle and long distance corps, captured five medals with three golds.

Chinese players in 2019 Asian Athletics Championships – Day 1, Day 2