20-year old Elena Lashmanova set a new world record while beating her Beijing-gold-winning teammate Olga Kaniskina to become the youngest medalist in race-walking history.
Kaniskina led for all but the last 150 meters of the 20-kilometer course, starting out intent on not only defending her medal but also setting a new world record. She was challenged for much of the race by China’s Liu Hong, with two more Russians—Lashmanova and Anisya Kirdyapkina, whose husband won the 50k men’s walk—and two more Chinese, Qieyang Shenjie and Lu Xiuzhi chasing the first two.
With three two-kilometer laps to go, Kaniskina had a 33-second lead. Liu dropped back in the final five km, as Lashmanova and Qieyang sped up. With two kilometers to go, Kaniskina had a 17-second lead on Lashmanova and Qieyang; the rest were not able to make the pace.
Lashmanova kept accelerating, catching and passing her teammate 150 yards from the finish line, pushing on to finish seven seconds ahead. Kaniskina crossed the line 14 second ahead of Qieyang, who took the bronze.
Liu Hong held on for fourth, and Anisya Kirdyapkina fifth. Lu Xiuchi made it a Russia/China top six.
