Tokyo Olympic Champion Valarie Allman claims being 'blown away' in China after feeling 'intimidated' ahead of Shanghai Diamond League

Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Valarie Allman has claimed that she is enjoying her first visit to China for the Shanghai Diamond League after having some doubts earlier on.

The American track and field star is set to compete in the discus throw on April 27th in her second outdoor meet of the season. She will be one of the favorites to win the battle against the likes of Yaime Perez and Jorinde Van Klinken.

Allman won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 with a throw of 68.98m. The 29-year-old won her first Diamond League title in 2022 and followed it up with another at the 2023 edition.

As she looks to make it three titles in a row, Allman claimed that she felt ‘intimidated’ by having to go to America’s rival nation, China. However, after landing in China, the 29-year-old is amazed at how welcoming everyone was to her.

“I have to admit before coming I was a bit intimidated about coming to this country and being able to experience it. But I've been blown away, not just by everything that the meet has done but truly the people of the country. They have been so welcoming and kind and ready to show their culture,” the Olympic champion told reporters at the Shanghai Diamond League press conference.

Allman revealed that she visited a middle school during her stay in China, and would remember that day for the rest of her life.

“I got to go to a middle school here in Suzhou a couple of days ago, and it was incredible. The passion, the heart, the joy that the students had, I think for them it was such an exciting day to have some athletes come by. It's definitely a day I will always remember it,” she added.

Alongside the World medalist, several other athletes were seen exploring Suzhou including sprinting sensation Sha'Carri Richardson.

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Valarie Allman opens the outdoor season with a victory at the Xiamen Diamond League 2024

Diamond League 2023-Valarie Allman in action

Valarie Allman started her outdoor season with a sensational victory at the Xiamen Diamond League on April 20. The 29-year-old threw the farthest on the day, recording a throw of 69.80m to beat Cuban athlete Yaime Perez by a huge margin.

Perez threw 68.83m for the 2nd position while third place was secured by Bin Feng of China who threw 67.07m. The Cuban star will be the biggest competitor once again to Allman at the next Diamond League meet in Suzhou/Shanghai.

Valarie Allman has a personal best throw of 71.46 while Yaime Perez has thrown way further than her. The Cuban national who defected to the United States in 2022 launched a sensational discus of 73.09m a few weeks earlier. It stands as the longest discus throw in the world since 1989.