More than 2,000 athletes from more than 200 countries have been battling at the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing since the opening ceremony on Aug 22. The nine-day event ends Aug 30.

As sprinters from Jamaica and Kenya retain their top status, a group of promising Chinese athletes have emerged to take the baton from retired Olympic champion hurdler Liu Xiang as the nation's new track and field leaders, boasting breakthrough performances on the world stage.

When Su Bingtian flashed across the finish line in the 100 meters on the heels of Jamaican star Usain Bolt in the semifinals, and ultimately reached the final of the marquee event in Beijing on Aug 23, overwhelming cheers at the Bird's Nest drew high praise from Liu, who is working as a guest commentator at the event.

"He reserved his best show for the Bird's Nest and he did it," said the 32-year-old, who retired in April after failing to overcome a persistent heel injury.

In tying the national record by clocking 9.99 seconds, Su became the first Asian sprinter to reach the 100m final of the world championships.

(China Daily European Weekly 08/28/2015 page4)