Chinese shot-putter clinches first gold in London

Chinese Olympic and world silver medalist Gong Lijiao wins the shot put gold medal at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London on August 9, 2017. [Photo: qq.com]

Chinese shot-putter, Gong Lijiao, has finally earned her first major global title, clinching the women's shot put gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in London.

This was also China's first gold medal at the championship, after five days of events. China stands fourth in the medal standings with one gold, two silvers and one bronze.

The 28-year-old, who won silver two years ago and bronze in 2009 and 2013, won the title with a throw of 19.94m, with Anita Marton of Hungary claiming silver with a throw of 19.49m, and reigning Olympic champion Michelle Carter of the United States walking away with bronze with a throw measuring 19.14m.

"I am so excited, so thrilled. I have been dreaming this moment my whole life and now it has come true. To tell the truth, it still feels surreal," said a tearful Gong, who only made fourth place at the 2016 Olympic Games.

Huang Zhihong was the last Chinese athlete to win the title in 1993 in Stuttgart following her win in Kyoto in 1991.

"It is 26 years since China won a shot put gold medal, so it's a very special moment for me," Gong said.

"My next goal is, of course, the Tokyo Olympics. My memories of London 2012 are mixed because I was third originally, then I was moved to second later. I didn't like the way that happened. So I am glad to show all the hard work I've done in the past with this gold medal."

Gong won bronze and silver respectively in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, but failed to reach the podium, as both were upgrades after women ahead of her were disqualified for doping offences.

China has now collected a complete set of colors in medals with a silver and a bronze in the women's javelin and a silver in the women's hammer.