Russia’s Lashmanova breaks walk record

Russia’s Elena Lashmanova won the women’s 20km walk Olympic title yesterday in a new world record of 1hr 25min 02sec.

The 20-year-old’s late surge saw her pass long-time leader and defending champion Olga Kaniskina of Russia (1hr 25min 09sec) while China’s Qieyang Shenjie set an Asian record in taking bronze (1hr 25min 16sec).

It was the first time Russia have taken gold and silver in the event and third time in six editions they have won the title.

Lashmanova’s victory had looked a longshot as Kaniskina dominated until she tired on the last two laps and had nothing left as the teenager swept past her just 50 metres before the finish line.

“This morning I would never have imagined something like this,” gasped Lashmanova.

“At the start I was not sure about how I was feeling. I would never have imagined such an outcome.”

“During most of the race, I was at such a distance from the lead that I was losing heart, but at each lap my trainer told me to keep calm, to keep quiet and to press on, to not give up.”

Kaniskina, 27, burst into floods of tears after a consoling hug from the winner.

“It wasn’t very lucky for me to lose the race at the last minute,” she said.

“It is difficult for me to deal with. I am very pleased for my teammate though, she deserved it.”

Russia’s Sergey Kirdyapkin won the 50km race walk Saturday in record time after one of the London Olympics’ most punishing events which left several athletes collapsed in exhaustion at the finish.

Under hot sun in the British capital, the two-time world champion, 32, timed an Olympic record of 3hrs 35min 59sec to beat Australia’s Jared Tallent, who took a second successive silver, by 54sec.

Si Tianfeng gave China their first Olympic medal in the 50km walk as he took the bronze, 1min 17sec adrift.