'It was a big surprise I won. My work has finally paid off ... I want to say Chinese people are the best'
Xing Huina is a middle-distance unknown no more after surging past the field at the last bend to score a massive upset in the women's 10,000 metres.
The 20-year-old runner from Shandong province never thought in her wildest dreams she would win gold, especially after her forgettable performance in the 5,000 metres on Monday when she faded to a distant ninth position.
And the 10,000 metres had never been her strong distance - until now. Saying she felt 'boundless energy' towards the end of the energy-sapping race, Xing raced to the front and stayed there to score an improbable win.
'I had nothing to lose in the race and I felt very relaxed before the race. I just wanted to do my best, but I never thought I would win gold,'' beamed Xing, who was making her Olympic debut and clocked 30:24.36 for the race.
'It was a big surprise that I won,' she said. 'My work has finally paid off and now I have an Olympic gold medal to my name. After the fifth lap, I thought I could do well and win a medal, but by the time we ran the last lap, I thought I had a chance for gold.
'I just knew I was going to win. I want to say Chinese people are the best,' said Xing, who was inspired by compatriot's Liu Xiang's monumental win in the men's 110 metres hurdles earlier in the night.
