Canadians Mitton, Yee seek improved results in 2nd leg of Chinese Diamond League series

Two Canadians will try to build on strong season-opening performances, while the world record watch continues for a pair of international athletes at this week's Diamond League outdoor track and field stop in Suzhou, China.

Shot putter Sarah Mitton and steeplechase runner Regan Yee remained in China following last week's event in Xiamen to prepare for the second of 15 Diamond League meets this season on Saturday.

Mitton, who twice broke a national record on her way to women's gold at the World Athletics Indoor Championships last month in Glasgow, was fourth in Xiamen with a best throw of 19.35 metres on the second of five attempts.

She'll attempt to upend last week's winner and reigning Olympic champion Gong Lijiao of China in a 10-woman field at Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre. Women's shot put begins at 6:20 a.m. ET, with live streaming coverage beginning at 7 a.m. on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Sports App and CBC Gem.

Gong, who earned world championship bronze last summer behind Chase Jackson and Mitton, jumped 19.72 in Xiamen, where it rained early in the competition

"To be honest, I am not quite satisfied with the result, since my intention was to throw 20-plus [metres]," said the 35-year-old.

Her most recent appearance on the Diamond League circuit was the 2019 Final at the Weltklasse Zurich meet where she threw 20.31 for her third of three Diamond League Trophies.

American Chase Jackson, who was third (19.62) in Xiamen last week, is also in Saturday's field that includes all but one of last year's top eight at worlds.

"I think [the result] is better than I could have hoped for in the middle of some technical [changes]," she said. "Losing to Gong Lijiao is not a bad thing. She's one of the best ever �… but hopefully I can