China’s men break Asian relay record
Print Edition
CHINA’S men’s 4x100-meter relay team broke the Asian record as they raced to victory at the Asian Games in Incheon yesterday and the host secured gold in football with victory over North Korea.
Chen Shiwei, Xie Zhenye, Su Bingtian and Zhang Peimeng crossed the line in 37.99 seconds, becoming the first Asians to go below 38 seconds. It was also the third best time in the world this year.
Japan was a full half second back in second while Hong Kong snatched bronze from Thailand in a tight anchor leg on the sixth day of competition at Incheon’s Asiad Main Stadium.
There was another Asian record for China in the men’s javelin as Zhao Qinggang threw the second longest distance of 2014, a monster 89.15 meters — nearly five meters clear of nearest rival, Ryohei Arai of Japan.
Chinese sprint star Zhang, who ran 10.00 seconds in last year’s world championships in Moscow but only managed a disappointing fourth in the 100 final on Sunday, said the team had not set out to target the Asian mark.
“I never imagined we would break the record, we just focused on training to win the race. Relay is a team event and I’m really pleased with our efforts this time,” Zhang suggested.
China’s women made it a relay double with victory in the 4x100, led by 100 gold medalist and 200 silver medalist Wei Yongli.
India’s women continued their dominance of the 4x400, winning for the fourth Asian Games in a row, followed by Japan and China.
There was more long-distance gold for Bahrain’s African imports as Ethiopian-born Maryam Yusuf Jamal won the 5,000 and Eunice Kirwa (Kenya) claimed the marathon.
On the pitch, Rim Chang-woo scored in the last minute of extra time as South Korea downed North Korea in a thrilling men’s football final.
Korean eyes were firmly focused on Munhak Stadium where the North and South played out a compelling football final thick with political symbolism.
Both sides had their chances but the match was headed for a penalty shoot-out when Rim rammed home his shot from close range after No Dong-geon handled on the line.
North Korea, however, won the women’s football gold, beating Japan 3-1.
India, meanwhile, won a nail-biting shoot-out against Pakistan to claim hockey gold as two of the region’s most bitter rivalries took center-stage in Incheon.
India won back the Asiad hockey title after 16 years and earn a direct entry into the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The arch-rivals played out a 1-1 draw in regulation time before Indian goalkeeper Parattu Sreejesh saved two of Pakistan’s four penalty attempts to become hero of the day.
India put in four goals past Pakistan’s Imran Butt to win the shoot-out 4-2 and clinch their third Asiad gold, but their first since the Bangkok Games in 1998.
Elsewhere, Japan scattered nine hits in their 6-0 win over Taiwan in the softball final. Upon receiving their medals, the Japanese women unveiled a banner urging the International Olympic Committee to reinstate baseball and softball as Olympic sports in time for the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
South Korea defeated China 70-64 in women’s basketball final, while Cao Yuan won the 3-meter springboard and Si Yajie the 10-meter platform to extend China’s grip on the diving golds.
With just one full day of competition remaining, China was sitting on 142 gold medals, nearly double the tally of second-placed South Korea on 72.
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