China sweeps podium in women's 20 km race walk

Athletics - World Athletics Championships - Doha 2019 - Women's 20 Kilometres Race Walk - Doha, Qatar - September 30, 2019 China's Hong Liu crosses the line to win gold REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

DOHA (Reuters) - Liu Hong led a Chinese sweep of the medals in the 20km race walk on Monday, with the biggest obstacle in the midnight race being strong heat and humidity.

Olympic champion and world record holder Liu sped past her compatriots to win her third world title in one hour 32 minutes and 53 seconds.

She finished 17 seconds ahead of Qieyang Shenjie, while Yang Liujing took the bronze.

Athletics - World Athletics Championships - Doha 2019 - Women's 20 Kilometres Race Walk - Doha, Qatar - September 30, 2019 China's Hong Liu, China's Shenjie Qieyang and China's Liujing Yang in action REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah

It was the first time a country had claimed all three medals in a women's race walking event at the championships.

The race walkers battled extreme temperatures of around 32 degrees Celsius and 75% humidity.

Some athletes have criticised the marathon and race walking events in Doha because the difficult weather conditions have caused additional stress to competitors' bodies.

Athletics - World Athletics Championships - Doha 2019 - Women's 20 Kilometres Race Walk - Doha, Qatar - September 30, 2019 China's Hong Liu, China's Liujing Yang and China's Jiayu Yang in action REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

Athletics - World Athletics Championships - Doha 2019 - Women's 20 Kilometres Race Walk - Doha, Qatar - September 30, 2019 China's Hong Liu celebrates winning gold REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah