Chen Ding of China competes in his final lap inside the Luzhniki Stadium on his way to finishing second in the men's 20 km race walk final during the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Moscow, Aug 11, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Chen Ding finished second in 1:21:09 while Spaniard Miguel Angel Lopez trailed 12 seconds to take the bronze in 1:21:21.

It was the first race completed by Chen since he made Olympic history by breaking the Olympic record by 13 seconds, and becoming the youngest ever race walking gold medallist at one day short of his 20th birthday.

After the London Games, the Yunnan native, has been suffering from an injury-plagued new season. He started the IAAF Race Walking Challenge race in Taicang in March but failed to finish and he has not competed in any races including the Chinese National Games in May.

"It was not an easy race for me. I did not sleep well yesterday and weather is really hot today. At the end of the race I could barely keep my pace," said Chen. "I did not want to disappointed those who love me and support me, so I just kept walking."