(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-08-09 11:10

BANGKOK - Jiang Qiuyan from China clinched the first gold medal of the 24th Universiade here on Thursday in women's 20km walk.

Jiang Qiuyan of China celebrates after winning the women's 20km walk at the 24th Universiade in Bangkok of Tailand August 9, 2007. [Xinhua]

Jiang, who had been crowned at the last Universiade in Izmir, Turkey, in one hour 33 minutes and 13 seconds, defended her title in Bangkok with a time of one hour 35 minutes and 22 seconds in Ayutthaya Province, 60 kilometers north to Bangkok.

Jiang, 24, came to Bangkok with the Asian Athletics Championship title claimed in Jordan last month.

Jiang's time of 1:33:13 in Izmir is still the Universiade best and her personal best is 1:30:00.

Her gold medal earned early this morning was the first trophy for the Chinese Universiade delegation.

Mongelli Lidia of Italy became the silver medalist, clocking 1: 37:23, and Yurchanka Sniazhana of Bulgaria finished third 3 seconds behind.