Sandeep Kumar, Jitendra finish 27th, 29th

The women’s 50km world record was broken by Rui Liang on her first attempt.

Rui Liang of China in action during Women's 50 kilometres Race Walk.

China’s Rui Liang broke the women’s 50km world record in her first attempt at the event in the IAAF World race walking team championships at Taicang, China, on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Indian men and women were a lot slower than their season bests in their events today.

National record holder Sandeep Kumar was nearly three minutes slower than his season best while finishing 27th while Jitendra was 29th in the men’s 50km event.

Read: Lokesh produces personal best, qualifies for under-20 Worlds

The scene was almost similar in the women’s 20km where national record holder B. Soumya finished 37th while Asian Games silver medallist Khushbir Kaur was 44th. India finished 11th in the women’s section while it had just two walkers in the men’s 50km and hence ineligible for team points.

The men’s 20km, which will feature three Indians, will be held on Sunday.

The results (gold medallists and Indians only): Men: 50km walk: 1. Hirooki Arai (Jpn) 3:44.25s, 27. Sandeep Kumar (3:59.28), 29. Jitendra Singh (4:00.13). Women’s 20km walk: 1. Maria Gonzalez (Mex) 1:26.38s, 37. B. Soumya 1:33.54, 44. Khushbir Kaur 1:34.59, 55. Ravina 1:35.47, 74. Shanti Kumari 1:42.38. Team championship: India 11th. 50km walk: 1. Rui Liang (Chn) 4:04.36s WR, OR 4:05:56, Inez Henriques (Por) 2017.