Feng, Sable set new Asian Games records in athletics

Agency :
World champion Feng Bin of China and India’s Avinash Mukund Sable set new Asian Games records en route to winning gold in women’s discus throw and men’s 3,000m steeplechase respectively here on Sunday.

Feng, winner at the 2022 worlds and bronze medalist in 2023, sealed her first-ever Asiad title with 67.93m in her first attempt.

The result surpassed the previous Games record of 66.18m set by her compatriot Li Yanfeng in 2010.

The bespectacled Feng said at the press conference that Sunday’s win was her most memorable experience among all international competitions this year.

“It’s our National Day today, and the atmosphere in the stadium made me rather excited before the race.

It’s an honor for me to bring this medal home for my country,” said the 29-year-old.

“I will focus on improving my techniques and rhythm during the winter training.

Hopefully I can reach 70m in the Paris Olympics,” she added.

The silver went to fellow Chinese Jiang Zhichao, who delivered a personal best 61.04m, and Seema Punia of India ranked third with 58.62m.

Sable, who is making his Asiad debut in Hangzhou, crossed the line in 8:19.50, more than 3 seconds ahead of the previous Games record set by Hossein Keyhani in 2018.

“I was focusing on beating my personal best, but in the last leg, I thought I’d better go for the gold.

And then I saw that I had broken the record. I’m very happy about that,” said the 29-year-old.

Japanese duo Ryoma Aoki and Seiya Sunada finished second and third respectively.