Zhang Wenxiu nearly shatters Asian record

Olympics bronze medalist Zhang Wenxiu claimed the gold medal in the women's hammer finals. Her winning score landed just short of the Asian record. She would secure the gold on her fifth attempt with 72.89 meters.

The PLA's Zhang decided to challenge her own Asian mark set in the 2007 national championships in her sixth attempt. Zhang Wenxiu's final throw stood at 74.25 meters -- 0.61 meters short of the Asian record. The world record is 77.96 meters.

So the 23-year-old Zhang Wenxiu won the gold with a gap of nearly 7 meters. Hao Shuai from Liaoning took the sliver with 67.63 meters, and Wang Zheng from Shanxi the third with 64.61 meters.