Gong Lijiao Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Shot putter Gong Lijiao surpassed herself at the Olympics on Sunday with a new personal best of 20.58 meters in the women's shot put final, winning China's 22nd gold medal of these Games.  

On a blisteringly hot Tokyo morning with trackside temperatures hitting 40 C, Gong, a double world champion, produced a throw of 20.58 meters.

Gong, who has been participating in the sport for 21 years, previously won bronze at Beijing 2008, silver at London 2012 and came fourth at Rio 2016 - on the back of being promoted following her rivals' disqualifications due to doping. 

None of her previous medals were given at an Olympic awards ceremony.

After her gold medal-­winning performance, Gong said, "I'm really, really excited to win this gold medal, I'm not only winning this gold medal, I'm also getting my personal best. I think all my efforts were really worth it."

All five of her legal throws on Sunday were better than the rest of the field, with her fourth result of 20.53 meters, and the gold medal-winning throw, surpassing her previous personal best of 20.39 meters. But she insisted on a last try, which ended a lifetime best with 0.05 meters further.

"I was too excited last night and only slept four to five hours, thinking about how I can throw it further to win the championship," Gong, now 32, told reporters.

"It's five years of suffering to prepare for the Olympics, especially for an older athlete like me," Gong said. 

"Everyone has to have a dream in case one day you can achieve it. And today I have fulfilled my dream," Gong said. 

"I have won Diamond League finals, World Championships, as well as finishing from first to fourth at Olympics… I think my life is perfect!"

She acknowledged how proud she was to win the title for the people back home.

"I'm really proud to win this competition for my country and not only for myself but also for all the people in China who supported me," Gong said.