Manila, Sept 22: World championship medallist Sun Yangjie completed a distance double today at the Asian Titles with a convincing win in the 5,000 meters. Her teammates were also dominant, with China increasing its lead to double digits atop the medal standings at the Continental Athletics Championships.
Utilizing her distinctive, economical low arm action to full effect in Manila's humid conditions, Sun started at the rear of the pack and pulled ahead with a surging sprint about five laps to go. She finished in 15 minutes, 48.12 seconds, 70 meters ahead of Japan's Yuko Manabe at 15:59.81. Hiromi Fujii secured bronze for Japan at 16:31.18, edging barefoot Sri Lankan Sujweewa Nimini Jayasena with a late lunge.
Sun was the only double gold medallist at Manila in the first three days of the meet. She won the 10,000 on Saturday in 32:37.04, more than two minutes outside her world championships effort in Paris last month. She led until 300 meters out at the worlds and finished third to Ethiopian Berhane Adhere, who set a meet record 30:04.18 and clocked the third-fastest time ever.
Her 5,000-10,000 double here replicated her dual wins at the Asian Games in Busan last September and sets her up as the region's top distance runner.
She now wants to take a break and rest up to prepare for the Beijing marathon in the middle of next month. Bureau Report