China Wins 13 on Asian U23 Athletics Opening Day
ORDOS, China — China’s track and field team delivered a commanding performance on the opening day of the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships on July 9, securing 13 medals — including seven gold — to top the medal table at the Ordos Sports Development Center Stadium in Inner Mongolia.
The championships, organized by the Asian Athletics Association (AAA), represent the first-ever U23 age-group specific athletics event at the continental level, featuring over 300 young athletes from 26 Asian countries and regions. The four-day competition, running from July 9 to 12, includes 45 individual events.
Historic First Day Dominance
China’s medal haul on Day 1 comprised seven gold, four silver, and two bronze medals, placing the host nation well ahead of second-placed Japan, which collected five medals (one gold, two silver, two bronze), according to the official medal tally from the Asian Athletics Association.
The first gold medal of the championships went to Wang Ziyi (王紫奕) in the Women’s Hammer Throw, who recorded a throw of 71.04 meters. Fellow Chinese athlete Fang Ling (方伶) secured silver with a personal best of 70.88 meters, as reported by Xinhua via People’s Daily.
China’s hammer throwers continued their dominance in the men’s event, with Li Zixu (李子旭) taking gold and Xu Zheng (许铮) claiming bronze.
Evening Session Success
The evening session saw Chinese athletes excel across multiple disciplines. Ma Yinglong (马英龙) won gold in the Men’s Triple Jump, while Wei Lingxia (危菱侠) claimed victory in the Women’s Pole Vault. In the throwing events, Li Zhixin (李智炘) and Jiang Zehao (姜泽昊) secured a gold-silver sweep in the Men’s Discus Throw.
On the track, Yang Yiting (杨屹婷) and Liu Yuxin (刘雨馨) finished first and second respectively in the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase. In the Women’s 100m, Xue Kunzhi (薛坤芷) sprinted to gold, while Liu Xiajun (刘峡君) added a bronze. The Mixed 4x400m Relay team rounded out China’s medal haul with a silver medal finish, as detailed by CCTV Sports.
A New Chapter for Asian Athletics
The Asian U23 Athletics Championships fill a critical gap in the age-group competition structure, sitting between the U20 (Junior) and senior (Open) levels. The event is modeled after established European and American U23 championships.
Asian Athletics Association President Dahlan emphasized the significance of the championships at the pre-competition press conference, stating that “the athletes competing here today represent the future of Asian athletics. Among you will emerge future Asian champions, world champions, and Olympic champions.” He noted that the event aims to “provide a crucial international competition experience for athletes transitioning from the youth category to the senior category,” as quoted by China.com.
Wang Nan (王楠), Vice President of both the Asian Athletics Association and the Chinese Athletics Association, highlighted that the tournament will host 45 individual events over four days, with all medals being “the first in the history of this tournament.”
Building for the Future
China’s strong opening-day performance underscores the depth of its youth athletics development program. The nation has been investing heavily in cultivating the next generation of track and field talent as part of its broader sports strategy, building on experience from hosting major international events including the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Liu Xiajun, the bronze medalist in the Women’s 100m, expressed her ambition to use the U23 championships as a stepping stone, stating she was “very much looking forward to completing the key transition from the youth category to the senior competition stage at this U23 event.”
Miao Chengyu (苗程玉), Vice Mayor of Ordos, described the championships as “an important platform for young Asian track and field athletes to hone their skills and showcase their talents, as well as a bridge of friendship to promote mutual understanding and exchange among young people across Asia,” as reported by China News Service.
What to Watch For
With three more days of competition remaining, attention will turn to whether China can maintain its dominant form across the remaining events. The championships continue through July 12, with athletes from 26 nations competing for the historic first titles in this new age category. The event also serves as an important indicator of the emerging talent pipeline in Asian athletics ahead of future World Championships and Olympic Games.