Xi Xiaoheng (second from left) stands at the starting point. [Photo/WeChat account: tzfb001]

Xi Xiaoheng, a middle-distance runner from Taizhou in East China's Zhejiang province, delivered another standout performance at the 41st Shizuoka International Athletics Meet in Japan on May 3.

Competing against a strong international field, Xi finished third in the final of the men's 800 meters with a time of 1 min 45.70 sec. Japanese runner Ko Ochiai won the race in 1:43.90, setting a new Asian record.

Xi maintained a steady pace during the opening 400 meters before accelerating strongly in the second half of the race, overtaking several competitors to secure a podium finish.

Xi's result was only 0.22 seconds slower than his national record of 1:45.48. His performance ranks among the top results by China in the men's 800-meter race.

The result also secured Xi's qualification for the Asian Games and earned him entry into future Diamond League athletics competitions, giving him opportunities to compete against some of the world’s leading middle-distance runners.