Russia's Elena Lashmanova won the women's 20km walk Olympic title on Saturday in a new world record of 1hr 25min 02sec.
Russia's Elena Lashmanova competes in the women's 20km walk at the athletics event of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Lashmanova won the women's 20km walk Olympic title on Saturday in a new world record of 1hr 25min 02sec.
The 20-year-old's late surge saw her pass longtime 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."
Kaniskina had broken away in the early stages accompanied solely by China's two-time world medallist Liu Hong.
However, Liu was dropped by Kaniskina and was sandwiched in between her and a group of five including the other two Russians and Guatemalan Mirna Ortiz.
Liu's desperation to rejoin Kaniskina brought her a warning while the Russian duet of Anisya Kirdyapkina, whose husband Sergy won the men's 50km walk title earlier on Saturday, and Lashmanova controlled the group behind.
Up front the order didn't change much with Kaniskina continuing to dominate, Liu in pursuit and the chasing group was down to four, the two Russians and Liu's team-mates 18-year-old Lu Xiuzhi and Qieyang.
Entering the final quarter of the race Kaniskina was over 20sec clear of Liu, who looked safe for silver as the quartet behind were another 20sec adrift.
However, the Russian duo moved up a gear from that point and ate into Liu's advantage passing her as the race entered the final stages, though, she stayed in the group along with Qieyang.
Hopes the Russians had of a cleansweep disappeared as Kirdyapkina was dropped leaving the minor medals to be fought out between the two Chinese and Lashmanova.