200m Asian record holder Xie beats Su Bingtian in national trial

Xie Zhenye came from behind to overcome Su Bingtian in the men's 100m final at China's national trials on Friday.

Xie Zhenye celebrates after beating Su Bingtian in the men's 100m final at China's national trials on Friday, August 2, 2019. [File photo: VCG]

Xie, who set a new Asian men's 200m record of 19.88s at the IAAF Diamond League in London less than two weeks ago, overtook Su in the final stretch to win in 10.03. Su clocked 10.19. Both of them had already secured their tickets to the IAAF World Championships in Doha before the national trial.

"Su's start was top notch, so I needed to make up for my disadvantage at the start with better acceleration in the latter half," said 25-year-old Xie.

Su was competing in his first race after returning from a back injury, which had sidelined him since the IAAF Shanghai Diamond League meet in May, and acknowledged that he still needed time to readjust to competition.

"I haven't competed for a while so I need time to adjust. The first half of the race was fine, but when Xie caught up with me, it was like the Asian Games all over again. At the Asian Games, I was in better form but tonight my body felt stiff," said Su, 29.

"I think a long time without competition won't affect me much, but I do need more races," he added.