China's Xing Huina came from nowhere to win the Olympic gold medal in women's 10,000m race in Athens on August 27.

Xing wins the second gold for the Chinese women in the Olympic track event.

The 20-year-old Xing, making her first Olympic appearance, clocked a winning time of 30 minutes 24.36 seconds.

Ethiopia's Ejegayehu Dibaba took silver in 30:24.98, with her compatriot Derartu Tulu, the defending champion having to settle for bronze in 30:26.42.

"It was a big surprise," said an elated Xing after winning the gold. "My hard work has finally paid off."

Xing, placed seventh in last year's world championships in Paris, finished a distant ninth in the women's 5,000m final on Monday.

"The failure in the 5,000m race was a blow to me. But it also worked my way as I had no pressure any more," she said.

Along with Dibaba and Tulu, Xing was among the leading pack throughout the race, but she broke away from the group entering the last straight and crossed the line first.

Britain's Paula Radcliffe, who holds the world record in women' s marathon, was out of the contention halfway the race.

Xing's teammate Sun Yingjie, the bronze medalist at last year's world championships, was sixth, trailing by half a minute.

Results of women's 10,000 meters at Athens Olympic Games

Following are the leading results of women's 10,000 meters final at the Athens Olympic Games on Friday:

1. Xing Huina, China, 30 minutes 24.36 seconds

2. Ejegayehu Dibaba, Ethiopia, 30:24.98

3. Derartu Tulu, Ethiopia, 30:26.42

4. Werknesh Kidane, Ethiopia, 30:28.30

5. Lornah Kiplagat, Netherlands, 30:31.92

6. Sun Yingjie, China, 30:54.37

7. Jelena Pkokopcuka, Latvia, 31:04.10

8. Lidiya Grigoryeva, Russia, 31:04.62