Chinese triple jumper Zhu Yaming pushes the limits to claim silver in the men's final, with a personal best of 17.57m at the Tokyo Olympics on Aug 5. [Photo/IC]

Chinese triple jumper Zhu Yaming made athletics history for his country when he finished second in the men's triple jump final at the Tokyo Olympics on Aug 5 to win the silver medal.

Zhu's silver medal, with a personal best of 17.57 meters, was China's best finish in the event at the Olympics.

Portugal's Petro Pichardo took gold with a jump of 17.98m.

"This is my first time participating in the Olympics, so I don't need to carry any psychological burdens. I am a challenger in the Olympics," he said before the games.

Observers said Zhu's hard-fought position on the Olympic podium had brought the Chinese men's triple jump to a new height in its history.

Zhu was born on May 4, 1994, in Dayangshu Town, in Oroqen Banner in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

During high school, his athletic talent was discovered by sports coach Ma Renliang and he received scientific guidance and training.

At the age of 19, Zhu was admitted to Shenyang Sport University and he joined the Liaoning Track and Field Team in 2015.

From then, Zhu began to stand out in domestic and international competitions, winning the men's triple jump at the 2016 and 2017 National Track and Field Championships, as well as triumphing at the seventh Military World Games.

In June 2021, Zhu jumped a personal best of 17.39m at the Tokyo Olympic trials and won his Olympics competition qualification.