Jiang wins China's first gold medal

China's Jiang Qiuyan won the nation's first gold medal at the 24th World University Games in Thailand. She won the 20-kilometer walk title at Izmir, Turkey, in 2005. Now she defended her title with a time of 1:35:22 in Ayutthaya Province, 60 kilometers north of Bankok.

"I am very excited now", Jiang said. "I am satisfied with the result, though it is not as good as the record I set two years ago".

According to Shen Chunde, the Chinese member of the Technical Committee of the International Association of Athletics Federations, Jiang was one of the top female walkers in China and had a great chance to compete in Beijing. Shen expect the Chinese walkers will do well in the Olympic Games next year.

The 24-year-old Jiang won the Asian Athletics Championship in Jordan last month and her gold medal in the World University Games in Bankok was the first success for the Chinese delegation there.

"I will return to training again and attempt to qualify for the Beijing Olympics", Jiang added.