Wang Zhen (athlete)
Encyclopedia
Wang Zhen is a Chinese race walker who specialises in the 10 kilometres and 20 kilometres race walk
. He is the Asian, Chinese and junior world record holder over 10 km.
He began competing at the top level of the sport in 2008 and won the junior 30 km walk at the Chinese national race walking championships, finishing in 2:08:46. He competed in his first 50 kilometres race walk
the year after at the 2009 Chinese National Games
. The sixteen year old Wang managed sixth place in 3:53:00.
He took to the major international circuit the next year – the 2010 IAAF World Race Walking Challenge
. At the Gran Premio Città di Lugano Memorial Albisetti he finished in sixth place, and then he walked to a personal best of 1:20:42 in the 20 km race at the Grande Premio Internacional en Marcha Atletica in Rio Maior, Portugal – a time worth third place at the meeting. He was seventh at the Coppa Città di Sesto San Giovanni in May, and managed 21st place over 20 km at the 2010 IAAF World Race Walking Cup
(his first international championship). Having gained enough points on the circuit, he was entered into 10 km 2010 IAAF Race Walking Challenge Final and the race proved to be one of the quickest of all-time, with four men walking 38 minutes and under. Wang Hao
was the home favourite for the race in Beijing
, but it was Wang Zhen who topped the podium. He finished the race in 37:44 minutes (the joint second fastest mark of all-time with Erik Tysse
) which was a new Asian record, as well as being the world junior record for the distance.
He began his 2011 with a win at the Memorial Mario Albisetti in March and then in Taicang
in April, twice improving his personal best to end with a 20 km record of 1:18:30 hours.
20 kilometres race walk
The 20 kilometre race walk is an Olympic athletics event that is competed by both men and women. The racewalking event is competed as a road race...
. He is the Asian, Chinese and junior world record holder over 10 km.
He began competing at the top level of the sport in 2008 and won the junior 30 km walk at the Chinese national race walking championships, finishing in 2:08:46. He competed in his first 50 kilometres race walk
50 kilometres race walk
The 50 kilometre race walk is an Olympic athletics event. The racewalking event is competed as a road race. Athletes must always keep in contact with the ground and the supporting leg must remain straight until the raised leg passes it.-World records:...
the year after at the 2009 Chinese National Games
Athletics at the 11th National Games of the People's Republic of China
At the 11th National Games of the People's Republic of China, the athletics events were held at the Jinan Olympic Sports Center in Jinan, People's Republic of China from 21–26 October, 2009. The National Games marathon event was held in conjunction with the Beijing Marathon on 18 October.-Medal...
. The sixteen year old Wang managed sixth place in 3:53:00.
He took to the major international circuit the next year – the 2010 IAAF World Race Walking Challenge
2010 IAAF World Race Walking Challenge
The 2010 IAAF World Race Walking Challenge is the 8th edition of the annual international race walking competition organised by the International Association of Athletics Federations...
. At the Gran Premio Città di Lugano Memorial Albisetti he finished in sixth place, and then he walked to a personal best of 1:20:42 in the 20 km race at the Grande Premio Internacional en Marcha Atletica in Rio Maior, Portugal – a time worth third place at the meeting. He was seventh at the Coppa Città di Sesto San Giovanni in May, and managed 21st place over 20 km at the 2010 IAAF World Race Walking Cup
2010 IAAF World Race Walking Cup
The 2010 IAAF World Race Walking Cup was held on 15 and 16 May 2010 in the streets of Chihuahua, Mexico.-Medallists:-Men's 20 km:-Men's 50 km:-Women's 20 km:-References:*...
(his first international championship). Having gained enough points on the circuit, he was entered into 10 km 2010 IAAF Race Walking Challenge Final and the race proved to be one of the quickest of all-time, with four men walking 38 minutes and under. Wang Hao
Wang Hao (athlete)
Wang Hao is a Chinese race walker.In August 2008 he finished fourth in the 20 km race walk event at the 2008 Summer Olympics, in a new personal best time of 1:19:47 hours. He missed out on the bronze medal by a margin of five seconds.On 23 October 2008 he set a new world junior record over...
was the home favourite for the race in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, but it was Wang Zhen who topped the podium. He finished the race in 37:44 minutes (the joint second fastest mark of all-time with Erik Tysse
Erik Tysse
Erik Tysse is a Norwegian race walker. He has competed at four editions of the World Championships in Athletics and represented Norway at the 2008 Summer Olympics....
) which was a new Asian record, as well as being the world junior record for the distance.
He began his 2011 with a win at the Memorial Mario Albisetti in March and then in Taicang
Taicang
Taicang is a coastal city in Jiangsu Province of People's Republic of China. It is approximately to the northwest of Shanghai, and to the east of Suzhou. It is a county level city under jurisdiction of Suzhou prefecture level city. In 2008, the registered population was at 466,300, and total GDP...
in April, twice improving his personal best to end with a 20 km record of 1:18:30 hours.