China's Yan Ziyi shatters World U-20 Record in Javelin

The sporting circle was rocked as young Chinese javelin thrower Yan Ziyi has smashed the World U-20 Record with a throw of 64.28 m.

Chinese Athletics Grand Prix 2024 (image credits- instagram/ag2022official)
By Soumya | Apr 16, 2024 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

In an extraordinary turn of events, young Chinese javelin thrower Yan Ziyi has smashed the World U-20 Record with a stupendous throw of 64.28 m. The record was set at the National Athletics Grand Prix 2 meeting on Sunday. She fell just 0.06m short of the Chinese national record.

Yan Ziyi, who will turn 16 in May, broke Cuba’s Yulenmis Aguilar’s mark of 63.86 set in August 2015. Furthermore, she bettered the unratified 63.96 from Elina Tzengko of Greece set in August 2020. On the other hand, Ziyi beat three-time World Championships Lu Huihui, who threw 61.95m, to clinch the gold medal.

Read more: Mirabai Chanu secures her spot for the Paris Olympics, placing 11th at the IWF World Cup

Ziyi surpassed the 60m in four of her five competitions this year. With her latest throw, she went past her previous personal and season-best mark of 62.23m set in Chengdu at the start of this month. On Sunday, she added another two metres to that mark to improve her throw.

Read more: Paris Olympics/Paralympics 2024: What are the qualifying events for March?

What happened in the finals?

Ziyi started the National Athletics Grand Prix 2 with a mighty throw of 60.83m on her first attempt and followed it with 59.53m on her second attempt. She then fouled in the next three rounds but ended the series on a high, launching the implement 64.28m to win the competition, set a world lead and break the U20 record.

To place Ziyi’s record into perspective, it must be told that India’s Annu Rani won the Asian Games gold medal in Hangzhou last year with a 69.92m throw, while the Chinese national record stands at 64.34m held by Huihui achieved in May 2020.

Read more: Paris Olympics 2024: Palak Gulia earns quota for India in 10m air pistol event at Olympics

Get the latest from Sportslumo.com by following us on InstagramTwitter, and YouTube.