Gong Lijiao of China celebrates after winning the Women's Shot Put Final on Day 6 of the 2017 IAAF World Championships at London Stadium in London, Britain, on Aug. 9, 2017. Gong Lijiao claimed the title with 19.94 meters. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
LONDON, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Gong Lijiao finally earned her first major global title as she took the women's shot put gold medal at the World Athletics Championships here on Wednesday.
It was also China's first gold after five days into the London worlds, lifting the world's most popoulous country to fourth on 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, Anita Marton of Hungary claimed silver with a throw of 19.49m, and reigning Olympic champion Michelle Carter of the United States walked away with bronze in 19.14m.
Gong, fourth placer at the 2016 Olympic Games, was in tears after the win.
"It is 26 years since China won a shot put gold medal, so it's a very special moment for me," she 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 neither time did she get on the podium because both were upgrades after women ahead of her were disqualified for doping offences.
