PHUKET, Thailand, Nov. 15 -- Shi Yu claimed China's first gold medal at the Beach Asian Games as the 19-year-old triumphed in the women's 5km swimming on Saturday.

The runner-up in last Games clocked 59 minutes and 49.3 seconds to go one up this time as Thailand's Benjaporn Sriphanomthorn took the silver medal.

Chinese Fang Yan had the bronze medal.

The beach Asiad that runs from Nov. 14 to 23 features about 2,400 athletes from 43 countries and regions.