Asian U20 Athletics Championships:
Shahpari wins silver in 3000m steeplechase
Iran’s Hanieh Shahpari claimed the country’s second women’s silver medal at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships on Friday, finishing runner-up in the 3000m steeplechase in Hong Kong, China.
The Iranian athlete clocked a personal-best 10:26.34, shattering the senior national record of 10:29.24, which she had previously set, to finish behind Japan’s Rei Taya, who crossed the line in 10:22.52.
Uzbekistan’s Sadafbonu Nusratilloeva also produced a personal-best performance, taking bronze in 10:37.32.
Shahpari’s silver medal, which secured her a place at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in August, came after Maryam Ahmadi had also won silver in the women’s 1500m on the opening day of the competition.
Ahmadi finished in a personal-best 4:33.35, behind Sri Lanka’s Dilki Nehara, who won gold in 4:31.41. South Korea’s Song Dawon took bronze with a time of 4:35.42.