Chinese athletics seeks breakthroughs at Worlds

Chinese athletes will seek break-throughs at the upcoming World Championships as they have been inspired by the record-breaking swimming team.

China on Monday unveiled the biggest squad so far for an athletics world championships as 69 athletes, including 30 men and 39 women, will compete in 34 events at the biennial event in the Chinese capital, reports Xinhua.

The meet is slated for August 22 to 30 in Beijing's iconic national stadium "Bird's Nest".

Medal hopes are pinned on men's and women's race walking, women's shot put and women's hammer throw.

"I hope the Chinese team can do better than last time in the 'Bird's Nest'," Chinese Athletics Association deputy director Feng Shuyong said.

Last time the Chinese athletics team competed in the national stadium in a major event, the capacity spectators witnessed defending Olympic champion Liu Xiang limped off the 110 metres hurdles track at the 2008 Olympic Games where China eventually collected just two bronzes.

"You have many advantages competing on home soil but there is also huge pressure. Last time Liu Xiang was over burdened with excessive expectations. I think this time the athletes won't be under as much pressure," said Feng.

As Russia withdrew most of its race walking team from the international competitions in the wake of a series of doping allegations, Feng saw a golden chance for China.

London Olympic champion Chen Ding and bronze medallist Wang Zhen will vie for the men's 20km race title while Lyu Xiuzhi eyes the women's medal.

Two-time World Championships medallist Gong Lijiao will again compete for a position on the podium in women's shot put.

Meanwhile, breakthroughs in men's jumping and sprint events are what the Chinese athletics is eagerly awaiting.

Zhang Guowei, a rising star in men's high jumping, nailed the world second best of 2.38 metres this season and is looking to beat the 31-year-old national record of 2.39 metres set by Zhu Jiahua in 1984.

Zhu created China's best result in men's high jumping, a third-place finish in 1983 World Championships.

Chinese swimming team seized five gold medals, one silver and seven bronze in Kazan World Championships which concluded on August 9 while Ning Zetao stormed to the men's 100 metres freestyle title, becoming the first Asian to win the event at the meet.