Chinese female javelin thrower Lyu Huihui breaks Asian record for the sixth time

BEIJING - Chinese javelin thrower Lyu Huihui broke the women's Asian record for the sixth time at the second leg of the 2019 National Track and Field Grand Prix in Huangshi, Hubei on Saturday.

Lyu Huihui reaped the gold with an impressive throw of 67.72 meters, beating the record of 67.69 meters she set in Haller, Germany, last May.

In Saturday's race, Lyu's formidable opponent Liu Shiying held the lead with 65.80 meters after the first five throws, followed by Lyu with 64.78 meters. The 32-year-old Lyu, however, surged ahead with her last throw of 67.72 meters to beat Liu, who couldn't respond with her last attempt, on the second place with 65.80 meters. Lyu's mighty throw raised the Asian record by 3 centimeters. The excellent performance also ensured Lyu the top spot in the world rankings this season, with Liu Shiying ranking the third.

Since Lyu Huihui gave a throw of 64.95 meters in April 2012, the Asian record of women's javelin has already been broken for 7 times. However, Lyu has been keeping an unparalleled advantage since the record was raised above 67 meters. She threw 67.59m at the World Championships in August 2017, and another 67.69m at the Haller Throwing Championships in Germany last May. Liu Shiying's best performance also reached 67.12m last year. After the change of javelin's weight, they were the only two who can throw this far.

On April 21-24, Lyu and Liu will compete again at the Asian Championships to be held in Doha, Qatar.