| POS | ATHLETE | COUNTRY | MARK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hong LIU |  CHN |
1:27:45 |
| 2 | Xiuzhi LU | CHN |
1:27:45 |
| 3 | Lyudmyla OLYANOVSKA |  UKR |
1:28:13 |
At the fifth time of asking, and after three trips to the podium in Berlin, Daegu and Moscow to pick up bronze or silver medals, world record holder Liu Hong fulfilled her status as the favourite and finally struck gold in Beijing.
In doing so she has assured herself iconic status as the first Chinese winner at the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015.
Silver medalist Xiuzhi Lu of China (L) and gold medalist Hong Liu of China celebrate after the Women's 20km Race Walk final during day seven of the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships Beijing 2015 at Beijing National Stadium on August 28, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images for IAAF)
Ukraine’s Lyudmyla Olyanovska had one of the best days of her career as she won bronze in the 20km walk.
Olyanovska, the European silver medallist, was left delighted with her brilliant performance as she finished third in 1:28.13 as China’s Hing Liu beat her teammate Xiuzhi Lu in a thrilling finish with both being given the same time of 1:27.45.
Anezka Drahotova, of the Czech Republic, had been the first European to make an impression in the early stages but as she dropped off, Olyanovska moved closer to the leaders.
In the final 5km she edged even nearer before making her move for a podium spot.
Olyanovska’s teammate Bohdan Bondarenko, the defending champion, went over 2.31m at the first attempt to book his place in the high jump final. He started at 2.22m, passed at 2.26m, had one failure at 2.29m before the height needed to ensure progress.
