China's Qieyang Shenjie won the Rio Maior IAAF Race Walking Challenge ©Getty Images

China's Qieyang Shenjie earned her second International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Race Walking Challenge win at the Portuguese city of Rio Maior in rainswept conditions today, as young Spanish walker Diego Garcia earned a first international victory in the men’s race.

Wind and rain provided adverse conditions in both 20 kilometre contests - particularly for the women who started 12 minutes before the men.

The women’s race soon formed a leading group of six, including local heroine Inês Henriques, the world champion and record holder over 50m.

But as they approached the midway point, Qieyang, the 2012 Olympic silver medallist, upped the pace to forge a lead which she later extended with each turn en route to a 1 hour 28min 04sec victory.

She had a 38-second margin over Italy's Antonella Palmisano, the 2017 IAAF World Championships bronze medallist, who walked the final  five kilometres alone.

Henriques finished third in 1:29:15, the third fastest performance of her career.

Portugal's Ana Cabecinha was next, just off the podium, clocking 1:29:53.

Brazil’s Erica de Sena, the Challenge leader prior to the race, dropped out after the 12th kilometre, unable to maintain contact with the leaders.

"This was a good race," Qieyang said.

"I expected to win again in this competition, and I’m looking forward to the team championship in Taicang, where I intend to fight for the gold."

Portugal's world 50km race walk champion Inês Henriques finished third in the IAAF Race Walking Challenge 20km on her home course at Rio Maior today ©Getty Images
Portugal's world 50km race walk champion Inês Henriques finished third in the IAAF Race Walking Challenge 20km on her home course at Rio Maior today ©Getty Images

Henriques, 37, was also very pleased with her performance.

"At my my age, and with my goals focused on 50km, producing one of my best performances ever in the 20km leaves me really happy for upcoming events,” said Henriques, who is from Rio Maior.

"It’s my first time competing in my town as world champion and the crowd really pushed me."

in the men's race, Garcia, the 2014 world under-20 silver medallist, moved to the front with compatriot Alvaro Martin shortly after the 15km point, before pulling away to take the victory in 1:21:15.

"I’m very happy to take my first international win here in Portugal," the 22-year-old Garcia said. 

"It was a great day, also because I achieved the standard for the European Championship."

Martin was second in 1:22:00, just ahead of Mexican José Leyver Ojeda who clocked a 1:22:01 personal best for third place.

The 2018 Challenge leader, Ecuador’s Andres Chocho, was fourth.