Australia's 16-year-old Isaac Beacroft stuns Chinese rivals in the 10K junior race at the World Race Walking Cup in Antalya. The talented Aussie has established a new U20 area record with 39:56.
The first race of the event started in the early morning at 07:00 with 51 contestants. The early pace was set by the Chinese trio, who were heavy favorites in a 20:29 pass for five kilometres. Beacroft trailed nine seconds in the 7K mark but surged in the penultimate kilometer with a stunning pace increase. He caught up with Shengji Shi in the final turn before clocking the all-time best junior mark in Oceania. He broke the Oceanian AU18 record in Adelaide two months earlier in 41:39 and now lowered his mark under 40 minutes. Beecroft has covered the final kilometre in 3 minutes 43 seconds to conclude his record-breaking achievement.
He also broke the 10-year Chinese crown in the junior race and became the first Australian to win the title.
The race was very fast in excellent condition in Antalya EXPO Center, and twelve men went under 41 minutes. Overall, 44 of 51 contestants were set their lifetime best in Antalya.
Chinese convoy grabbed first title in women’s U20 race in Antalya. Asian U18 champion Xizhen Yang splitted herself from Spanish rivals in last lap to clocked 45:06 for victory. Spanish duo Aldara Meilan and Sofia Santacreu have concluded the race on the podium.
