China's Zhao Xinxin (L) and Zheng Weitongin action during the men's individual Xiangqi final at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Oct. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Han Chuanhao)
China reaches the 200-gold mark for the first time in its Asiad history, as the last three gold medals of the Hangzhou Games will be awarded in artistic swimming and karate on Sunday.
HANGZHOU, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- China picked up 13 gold medals on the penultimate day of the Hangzhou Asian Games, reaching the 200-gold mark for the first time in its Asiad history.
Since its Asiad debut in Tehran in 1974, China's previous best record of gold medals came from the 2010 edition in Guangzhou, when the host nation pocketed 199 golds.
Zheng Weitong triumphed in an all-Chinese men's individual Xiangqi final over Zhao Xinxin to clinch the hosts' 200th gold.
"I learned after the event that my gold medal was the 200th gold for China, so this is a lucky medal. I'm glad to make such a contribution to China, but this medal is not for me, it's for all of us, as we've been working together," said Zheng.
The women's individual event earlier on Saturday also witnessed two Chinese finalists, as Zuo Wenjing defeated Wang Linna for the crown.
Zhang Ziyang arrives at the finish line during the men's marathon swimming final. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
China's gold rush commenced in the men's marathon swimming, where Zhang Ziyang came on top in the rainy morning.
Zhang finished in one hour, 55 minutes and 45.8 seconds, closely followed by compatriot Lan Tianchen just 0.4 seconds behind. South Korea's Park Jae-hun secured the bronze medal.
Zhang began to accelerate on the third lap, eventually breaking away on the fifth lap to take a commanding lead. Lan closely trailed, ensuring that both Chinese athletes maintained a clear advantage until the finish line.
"In the last part of the race I got some water in my eyes, that's why I could not see clearly who my opponent was, but I tried my best to win the gold medal. I persevered and didn't think too much," Zhang said.
Yuan Xinyue (2nd R) returns the ball during the women's volleyball final against Japan. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
China defeated an under-strength Japan 3-0 to defend the women's volleyball title and claim their ninth overall Asiad crown.
Yuan Xinyue had 18 points to lift China over Japan 25-15, 25-21, 25-21 in the final, with Li Yingying, Wang Yuanyuan and Gong Xiangyu adding 16, 12 and 10 respectively.
"I am satisfied with our consistence and mentality in this Asian Games. I think if we can keep calm and keep doing whatever we should do on the court, the results will turn out to be good for us," said China head coach Cai Bin.
Miyu Nakagawa had 11 points to lead Japan, who were playing with a second-string squad in Hangzhou.
Zou Meirong (R) evades the attentions of a South Korean defender during the hockey women's final. (Xinhua/Li An)
China closed out the women's hockey competition with a 2-0 win over South Korea to win gold. The victory also gave China its fourth Asian Games gold medal in women's hockey and the lone Olympic Games qualification spot on offer for Paris 2024.
"We could have played better, but they fought hard. We got the Olympic ticket, which is what we came for," China coach Alyson Regina Annan said after the win.
In breakdancing, set to make its Olympic debut at Paris 2024, China's Liu Qingyi and Japan's Shigeyuki Nakarai emerged as the winners, and both have qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Liu edged Japan's Ami Yuasa 2-1, while Nakarai beat South Korean veteran Kim Hong-yul by the same scoreline.
"Getting the Olympic ticket made me more confident. I hope I can do well in Paris," said 17-year-old Liu.
"When I started breaking, nobody imagined it would be part of an Olympics. There was zero percent chance of me thinking that," commented Nakarai.
"But when I started breaking, I was already focused on being the best in the world, and that does mean a gold medal in the Olympics. I'm so happy that breaking has become an Olympic sport and that I will be there," he added.
Cho Yong-wook scores South Korea's second goal in their 2-0 win over Japan in the men's football final. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)
South Korea claimed its third consecutive men's football championship after rallying back to overcome Japan 2-1 in the final.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) announced the results of its first-ever Athletes' Committee's election, with China's Olympic table tennis champion Ding Ning being elected as one of nine members.
"I am honored to be elected onto this committee. I am very happy to join and, in the future, I will try my best to help athletes in need," said Ding.
The nine elected members represent the five regions of Asia. Apart from Ding, other members come from India, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, Singapore and Hong Kong, China.
Also on Saturday, Chinese swimmers Zhang Yufei and Qin Haiyang were jointly awarded Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Games.
Olympic champion Zhang, 25, clinched six titles in her signature events, while 24-year-old world champion Qin pocketed five golds and a silver on his second Asiad appearance.
China has also secured 111 silvers and 71 bronze medals. Japan follows with 51 golds, while South Korea sits third with 42 golds.
Prior to the closing ceremony on Sunday evening, the last three gold medals of the Hangzhou Games will be awarded in artistic swimming and karate.
