China: China has clinched its first gold medals at the Asian Games, securing victories in rowing, shooting, and wushu as the host nation. President Xi Jinping inaugurated the two-week multisport event with a vibrant ceremony.
China took the first gold medal as Zou Jiaqi and Qiu Xiuping dominated the women’s lightweight double sculls rowing final in Hangzhou, setting the stage for the host nation’s anticipated medal success.
The Chinese duo completed the race in 7 minutes and 6.78 seconds, with Uzbekistan’s Luizakhon Islamova and Malika Tagmativa securing the silver medal, nearly 10 seconds behind them.
“I am very excited, as it’s my first Asian Games. Stepping on to the podium today is a new starting point to help us prepare for next year’s Paris Olympics,” said Qiu.
In rowing at Fuyang Water Sports Centre, Indonesia’s Chelsea Corputty and Rahma Mutiara Putri won the bronze medal. In the men’s lightweight double sculls, China’s Fan Junjie and Sun Man took the gold, beating India’s Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh by five seconds. Uzbekistan’s Shakhzod Nurmatov and Sobirjon Safaroliyev won the bronze.
Adding to their success, China’s shooters clinched a golden hat-trick with a victory in the women’s 10m team air rifle event. Furthermore, China’s perfect start continued in martial arts, as Sun Peiyuan won the first gold in that category.
Sun defended his men’s changquan wushu title, triumphing over Indonesia’s Edgar Xavier Marvelo, with Macau’s Song Chi-Kuan finishing third.
“I feel very happy to win the gold medal in China, near my home town. I’m so very excited, I’m lost for words,” said Sun.
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