Silver medalist Tian Yajuan (R) of China poses for photo with her teammate, gold medalist Zhou Zhaoqian after Women's 1500m T54 Final at the Para Athletics World Championships held in Kobe, Japan, May 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
KOBE, Japan, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese para athletes Zhou Zhaoqian and Tian Yajuan finished one-two in the women's 1,500m T54 final here on Tuesday at the Para Athletics World Championships.
Zhou, 26, won the gold medal by clocking three minutes 33.86 seconds at the Universiade Memorial Stadium in the central Japanese port city of Kobe, as her teammate Tian finished second in 3:33.91.
Both wheelchair runners achieved their season's bests, while Germany's Merle Marie Menje claimed bronze at the T54-class race in 3:34.19.
The Kobe Para Athletics World Championships, held in East Asia for the first time, serve as a crucial qualifier for the Paris Paralympics. The championships have attracted over 1,000 athletes from 100 countries and regions competing in 168 events.
A total of 73 Chinese para-athletes are competing in the championships, which run until May 25. Originally scheduled for 2021, the event was postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ■
Tian Yajuan (2nd R) of China and her teammate Zhou Zhaoqian (3rd L) compete during Women's 1500m T54 Final at the Para Athletics World Championships held in Kobe, Japan, May 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
