JW
Junxia Wang

Junxia Wang

CHNCHNWomen
Birth dateJan 9, 1973
BirthplaceJiaohe, People's Republic of China
Height1.62 m
Weight50 kg

Wang Junxia is a retired Chinese long-distance runner, born on 9 January 1973 in Jiaohe, China. She is one of the most remarkable distance runners in track and field history, with her competitive prime spanning from 1991 to 1996.

Wang remains the current world record holder at 3,000 metres and held the world record for the 10,000 metres for an extraordinary 23 years, from 1993 to 2016. She was coached by Ma Junren until 1995, and subsequently by Mao Dezhen through her retirement following the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where she competed at the highest level on the global stage.

Wang Junxia's legacy is defined by the sheer longevity of her records and the extraordinary level of her performances during a brief but dominant career. Her 3,000-metre world record, set over three decades ago, has proven virtually untouchable, cementing her place as one of the greatest distance runners the sport has ever produced.

Key facts
3000 m
8:06.11
10 000 m
29:31.78
1996 season best
14:51.87
May 5, 1996 · Nanjing (CHN)
Last competition
The XXVI Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Aug 2, 1996 · 31:02.58
Medals
Olympic Games: 1 gold, 1 silver · World Championships: 1 gold
Record
World record · 3000 m 8:06.11
Age
53 years old

As of Sep 12, 2026: 3000 m 8:06.11 (#1 all-time), 10 000 m 29:31.78 (#8 all-time), 1996 season best 14:51.87 (May 5, 1996, Nanjing (CHN)) · Last competition: The XXVI Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, Atlanta, GA, Aug 2, 1996, 31:02.58 · Olympic Games: 1 gold, 1 silver · World Championships: 1 gold · World record (3000 m) · 53 years old

🏅

Medals

🥇🥈🥉Total
Olympic Games11-2
World Championships1--1
Total21-3

Performance Charts

Season bests

SeasonDisciplineResultWindDateTrendCompetitions
1996
5000m
14:51.87-May 5, 1996
Nanjing (CHN)
1996
10000m
31:01.76-May 7, 1996
Nanjing (CHN)
1995
5000m
14:53.08-Oct 24, 1995
Nanjing (CHN)
1995
10000m
31:23.24-Sep 7, 1995
Changchun (CHN)
1994
10000m
30:50.34-Oct 15, 1994
Hiroshima (JPN)
1994
Marathon
2:31:11-Oct 30, 1994
Beijing (CHN)
1993
1500m
3:51.92-Sep 11, 1993-Beijing (CHN)
1993
3000m
8:06.11-Sep 13, 1993-Beijing (CHN)
1993
5000m
15:05.8-Sep 8, 1993
-
1993
10000m
29:31.78-Sep 8, 1993
Beijing (CHN)
1993
Marathon
2:24:07-Apr 4, 1993
Tianjin (CHN)
1992
CrossCount
13:35-Mar 21, 1992-20th IAAF World Cross Country Championships
1992
10000m
32:29.90-Sep 19, 1992
Olympic Stadium, Seoul (KOR)

1996

10 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
10000m
31:02.58-Aug 2The XXVI Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, Atlanta, GA
5000m
14:59.88-Jul 28The XXVI Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, Atlanta, GA
10000m
32:36.53-Jul 27The XXVI Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, Atlanta, GA
10000m
32:36.53-Jul 26The XXVI Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, Atlanta, GA
5000m
15:24.28-Jul 26The XXVI Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, Atlanta, GA
5000m
14:59.88-Jul 26The XXVI Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, Atlanta, GA
10000m
31:02.58-Jul 26The XXVI Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, Atlanta, GA
10000m
31:11.59-May 8Chinese Championships, Nanjing
10000m
31:01.76-May 7Chinese Championships, Nanjing
5000m
14:51.87-May 5Chinese Championships, Nanjing

1995

3 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
10000m
31:38.07-Oct 26Nanjing CG, Nanjing
5000m
14:53.08-Oct 24Nanjing CG, Nanjing
10000m
31:23.24-Sep 7Changchun NP, Changchun

1994

3 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
Marathon
2:31:11-Oct 30Beijing Marathon, Beijing
10000m
30:50.34-Oct 15Hiroshima Asian Games, Hiroshima
10000m
31:38.17-Jun 5Beijing Chinese Championships, Beijing

1993

15 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
Marathon
2:28:16-Oct 31San Sebastián IAAF Marathon World Cup, San Sebastián
3000m
8:06.11-Sep 13Beijing Chinese National Games, Beijing
3000m
8:12.19-Sep 12Beijing Chinese National Games, Beijing
1500m
3:51.92-Sep 11Beijing Chinese National Games, Beijing
1500m
4:01.55-Sep 10Beijing Chinese National Games, Beijing
5000m
15:05.8-Sep 8-
10000m
29:31.78-Sep 8Beijing Chinese National Games, Beijing
10000m
30:49.30-Aug 21IAAF World Championships, Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion, Stuttgart
10000m
32:28.35-Aug 19IAAF World Championships, Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion, Stuttgart
10000m
30:49.30-Aug 14IAAF World Championships, Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion, Stuttgart
10000m
32:28.35-Aug 14IAAF World Championships, Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion, Stuttgart
3000m
8:27.68-Jun 6Jinan
1500m
3:58.00-Jun 2Jinan
10000m
31:08.42-Jun 2Jinan
Marathon
2:24:07-Apr 4Tianjin NG, Tianjin

1992

2 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
10000m
32:29.90-Sep 19Seoul IAAF World Junior Championships, Olympic Stadium, Seoul
CrossCount
13:35-Mar 2120th IAAF World Cross Country Championships

Honours

🥇

Chinese Championships

10,000 Metres

1996
🥇

The XXVI Olympic Games

5000 Metres

1996
🥈

The XXVI Olympic Games

10,000 Metres

1996
🥇

Chinese Championships

5000 Metres

1996
🥇

IAAF World Championships

10,000 Metres

1993
🥇

Seoul IAAF World Junior Championships

10,000 Metres

1992
🥈

20th IAAF World Cross Country Championships

Cross Country U20 Race

1992
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Junxia Wang's 3000 m personal best?

Junxia Wang's 3000 m personal best is 8:06.11, set on Sep 13, 1993 in Beijing (CHN), #1 on the all-time list.

Which events does Junxia Wang compete in?

Junxia Wang competes in the 3000 m and 10 000 m.

How did Junxia Wang perform in 1996?

1996 season best: 14:51.87, set on May 5, 1996 in Nanjing (CHN). Last competition: The XXVI Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, Atlanta, GA on Aug 2, 1996, 31:02.58.

How many medals has Junxia Wang won?

Junxia Wang has won 2 Olympic Games medals and 1 World Championships medal.

Does Junxia Wang hold a world record?

Yes, Junxia Wang holds the 3000 m world record with 8:06.11.