China's defending world champion Yao Juan won the gold medal in the women's shot put F64 final at the Para Athletics World Championships on Thursday.

Yao recorded her season-best throw of 12.50 meters in her second attempt at the Universiade Memorial Stadium in the central Japanese port city of Kobe, taking her second gold medal after triumphing in the women's discus throw F64 final.

The 39-year-old thrower, who just secured her eighth world championship title, also holds the F44 world record with a throw of 13.14 meters.

United States' Arelle Middleton, 16, finished second with a personal best of 11.84m, while China's Yang Yue claimed the bronze with a season-best throw of 11.26m.

Yao told Xinhua that she was surprised by the high-schooler opponent in whom she saw a self-reflection. "She's only 16 years old, the same age I was when I first competed in the Paralympics," she said.

"Paris 2024 would be my seventh Paralympic Games and I might continue competing If conditions allow," said Yao, a reigning champion in both discus throw and shot put, adding that she is considering a step back. "I see athletes that I coach already battling beside me. New athletes are emerging and we older ones should make way for them."

The Kobe Para Athletics World Championships, held in East Asia for the first time, serve as a crucial qualifier for the Paris Paralympics. The championships have attracted over 1,000 athletes from 100 countries and regions competing in 168 events.

A total of 73 Chinese para-athletes are competing in the championships, which run until May 25. Originally scheduled for 2021, the event was postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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