THE whiff of durians lingered in the air outside Bishan Stadium yesterday, as Chinese athletes tasted the fruit before the final day of the athletics competition.

The pungent odour was only overpowered by the smell of China's success over the four-day track and field competition.

No country came close to matching the athletics powerhouse, who chalked up nine golds, two silvers and one bronze - including two victories yesterday.

Li Jun threw 19.45 metres to win the boys' shot put. The 16-year-old, who at the youth level is ranked sixth in the world, was well ahead of Iranian Medhi Kargar Nejad (16.75m).

In the boys' high jump, teammate Ren Wei, who stands at 1.99m, towered over his opponents both in terms of height and performance.

He leapt 2.02m to win.

Even then, the 16-year-old was not pleased with his performance.

He said: 'I don't think I was in very good shape today. I did not perform to my full potential.'

Teammate and 100m sprinter He Jiawen, also felt she could have done better.

Her personal best of 12.05sec would have been good for gold, but the bronze medallist could manage only 12.44sec.

Said the 16-year-old: 'I had quite a good start, but lost steam towards the end. I was injured for the past six months, and started training just two weeks ago. I would've done better if I'd had more time to train.'

China's closest competitors, Japan, claimed four golds and four silvers. Thailand's four golds, three silvers and one bronze put them in third place overall.

Singapore finished the meet with four bronzes, including one from Shahrir Anuar in the 100m sprint in 11.3sec.

Said the 16-year-old Sports School student, whose personal best is a wind-assisted 10.88sec: 'It's not my best timing, but I'm happy that I still got a medal.

'I'm honoured to win this for Singapore and expect to do better in future.'

For team manager C. Veeramani, his charges have surpassed all expectations.

He cited Jared Lim (400m), Edwin Tay (400m hurdles), Syafiq Poh Shahabiddin (triple jump) and Nuraishireen Mohamad Rahim (triple jump), who all posted personal bests.

The former national runner also said results from the AYG have shown that Singapore should cash in on events they excel in, rather than be a Jack of all trades.

He said: 'I've realised from this competition that Singapore are closer to other Asian countries' standards, especially in the power events like sprints and jumps.

'In the long run, we should shift our focus to these events and specialise in them.'