Chinese hurdler Wu Yanni (left) competes in the women's 60 meters hurdles semifinal at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, on March 23, 2025. Photo: Cui Meng/Global Times

Young Chinese track and field athletes made their mark at the World Athletics Indoor Championships held from Friday to Sunday, highlighted by Liu Junxi's sensational bronze medal in the men's 60 meters hurdles.

At the iconic Nanjing Cube arena in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, the Jiangsu local clocked a 7.55-second finish in the men's 60m final, while compatriot Qin Weibo, 22, also made it into the finals. 

The duo have been pinned to carry China's future hopes and even surpass the achievements of 2004 Olympic champion Liu Xiang.

Liu Junxi's previous performance of 7.48 seconds at a domestic event elevated him to second on Asia's all-time 60m hurdles list, trailing only Liu Xiang's continental record of 7.41 seconds set in 2012.

"After the semifinal, I knew a podium was within reach," Liu Junxi told reporters post-race. "This medal isn't just for me. Since Qin and I both qualified for the finals, our goal has been achieved. I will continue to work hard in the future, please just wait and see."

He mentioned that he hopes to run the 110-meter hurdles within the range of 13.25 to 13.30 seconds in outdoor competitions this year. 

"Liu Xiang is my role model, and I hope to gradually approach his achievements," Liu Junxi told reporters. Facing the growing expectations of him becoming a next Liu Xiang, the 21-year-old said, "I don't feel any pressure. Let time prove what I can reach in the future." 

While Liu Junxi's bronze dominated headlines, 16-year-old sprinter Chen Yujie emerged as one of the championships' most endearing stories. 

The high school student, competing in her first senior international meet, clocked 7.34 seconds in the women's 60m heats, finishing 0.05 seconds shy of advancing. But by ­participating, she became the youngest-ever Chinese competitor at a World Athletics Indoor Championships.

"I couldn't stop shaking before the race," Chen admitted with a grin. "Just lining up beside Olympic medalists felt surreal. Now I need to catch up on my homework. This experience taught me how to balance studies and elite sports. Representing China means excelling in both."

In the men's 60 meters sprint, 21-year-old Deng Xinrui missed a finals berth by the slimmest of margins of 0.01 seconds, clocking 6.61 seconds in his semifinal.

"My start lacked explosiveness, and I tightened up mid-race," Deng analyzed. "But racing against world leading athletes showed me exactly where to improve. This 0.01-second gap will drive my training."

Meanwhile, women's long jump phenom Huang Yingying, though she finished 11th in Sunday's final with 6.39 meters, is considered to have the potential to deliver in the future as she bears the Asian under-20 outdoors long jump record of 7.05 meters.

The home advantage also boosted some elder Chinese athletes. 

Female sprinter Liang Xiaojing, 27, set a new personal best in the women's 60 meters final with 7.14 seconds. She lowered her best record in all three rounds. 

Through winter training, "I have gradually gotten rid of the trouble of injuries, and I'm in very good condition. Achieving this result just reflects the effectiveness of my winter training," she told reporters. 

"After this competition, everything starts from zero. I will throw myself into the next competition. There is still a long way to go, and the key is to take each step steadily," Liang said.

Running along with the cheers from the Chinese fans, 27-year-old female hurdler Wu Yanni clocked a sensational 8.01 seconds finish in the women's 60 meters hurdles on Sunday, a result that set a new national record in the discipline.

"This national record of 8.01 seconds is dedicated to all my fans, family and friends who have supported me. Without their encouragement, I wouldn't have achieved this result today. This achievement doesn't belong to me alone," Wu told reporters. 

After seeing her result on the giant screen, Wu burst into tears on the race course.

Notably, she progressed her reaction time in the final to 0.148 seconds, ranking sixth in the semifinals.

"Actually, my team said after the heats that I could break the 8-second mark. I also discussed the starting technique with the team at noon, so I was able to demonstrate it in the semifinals," Wu said.  

Though the result did not send Wu into the 60m hurdles finals, she told reporters that she is optimistic about delivering a better performance in the upcoming outdoor season.

Wu, who has received a great deal of attention online due to her ­outspoken personality, said she focuses on herself in order to not be distracted.

"I focus on my own thoughts. I don't care about others and won't let some comments on the Internet affect my mood." 

She said she will start her outdoor hurdles campaign at the Diamond League race in Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province in April.