Mexican Alvarez Corral wins duathlon women's individual at Chengdu World Games

Anahi Alvarez Corral (C) of Mexico crosses the finish line during the Duathlon Women's Individual Final at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

CHENGDU, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's Anahi Alvarez Corral won gold in the women's individual duathlon by just two seconds on Friday, while China's Lu Ziqing placed ninth despite receiving a yellow card.

Alvarez Corral surged ahead from lap 14 of the cycling segment, finishing in one hour, 25 minutes and 31 seconds. Spain's Maria Varo Zubiri took silver, two seconds back, with Belgium's Jeanne Dupont claiming bronze.

"I knew the competition would be fierce, especially from the Spanish athlete and the strong Belgian team. But I came ready to fight till the end. The girls are so good and I'm happy to be able to rub shoulders with them," said Alvarez Corral, making her first World Games appearance.

"I loved everything here, the competition, the course, the bike route. I felt strong and I enjoyed throughout this incredible experience," she added.

As China's only representative in the event, 19-year-old Lu called the race "a valuable learning experience." She managed to overtake several rivals but was hampered by a minor penalty.

"During the first transition from running to cycling, I was so focused on catching up with other players that I forgot to put my running shoes in the designated basket, resulting in a time penalty," Lu said, adding she was still "quite satisfied with the performance."

After a rest day on Saturday, the duathlon concludes Sunday with the mixed relay at the Chengdu World Games. ■

Gold medalist Anahi Alvarez Corral of Mexico celebrates during the victory ceremony for the Duathlon Women's Individual at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Gold medalist Anahi Alvarez Corral of Mexico celebrates during the victory ceremony for the Duathlon Women's Individual at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Gold medalist Anahi Alvarez Corral (C) of Mexico, silver medalist Maria Varo Zubiri (L) of Spain and bronze medalist Jeanne Dupont of Belglium celebrate during the victory ceremony for the Duathlon Women's Individual at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

Gold medalist Anahi Alvarez Corral (C) of Mexico, silver medalist Maria Varo Zubiri (L) of Spain and bronze medalist Jeanne Dupont of Belglium take selfies during the victory ceremony for the Duathlon Women's Individual at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

Silver medalist Maria Varo Zubiri of Spain celebrates during the victory ceremony for the Duathlon Women's Individual at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Bronze medalist Jeanne Dupont of Belglium celebrates during the victory ceremony for the Duathlon Women's Individual at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Athletes compete during the Duathlon Women's Individual Final at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Anahi Alvarez Corral (L) of Mexico and Maria Varo Zubiri of Spain hug each other after crossing the finish line during the Duathlon Women's Individual Final at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

Lu Ziqing of China claps hands with spectators before crossing the finish line during the Duathlon Women's Individual Final at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

Athletes start during the Duathlon Women's Individual Final at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

Athletes ride during the Duathlon Women's Individual Final at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Athletes ride during the Duathlon Women's Individual Final at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

Athletes compete during the Duathlon Women's Individual Final at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Athletes ride during the Duathlon Women's Individual Final at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

Athletes ride during the Duathlon Women's Individual Final at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)