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China enjoys its finest Asiad

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-11-27 08:04

Emiko Homma of Japan (left) competes against Feng Lanlan of China in the women's -68kg gold medal match of the karate at the Asian Games on Friday. Feng claimed China's 184th gold medal, surpassing its previous best at the Beijing Asiad in 1990. [Photo/Agencies]

Host nation claims 197 gold before final day, shatters previous record set at 1990 games

GUANGZHOU - Powerhouse China made Guangzhou its most successful Asian Games ever on Friday as Bangladesh beat Afghanistan to win not just the cricket but its first gold medal in Asiad history.

When Feng Lanlan clinched the women's -68kg karate title it pushed China's total golds to 184, shattering its previous best at the Beijing Asiad in 1990, a tally no other country has reached since the Games began in 1951.

Guangzhou had already become its most dominant in terms of total medals when it marched past the 341 set in 1990.

On the 14th and penultimate day of action, the host stretched its gold haul to 197 as it built up to an assault on the United States at the London Olympics in 2012.

Its biggest success came when veteran center Wang Zhizhi blocked a shot and scored on an offensive rebound in the waning seconds to help China beat Korea 77-71 and retain its men's basketball title.

The host nation also completed a clean sweep of all 10 diving gold medals, reinforcing its total control of the sport, with He Zi winning the women's 3m springboard and Cao Yuan taking the men's 10m platform.

China wasn't the only country celebrating, with Bangladesh sneaking past Afghanistan by five wickets with just three balls to spare in a thrilling finale to the first Asian Games cricket final.

Bangladesh restricted Afghanistan to 118-8 and endured some anxious moments before Mohammad Shabbir hit two huge sixes to guide his country to its first gold medal in the seven Asian Games its has attended.

"We are celebrating, but I hope Afghanistan will celebrate, too, because they deserve the silver medal," said Bangladesh coach Imran Sarwar.

"They are a very good side and I am sure they will become a top team in the near future. Their rise has been remarkable."

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six wickets for the bronze.

Other title showdowns saw India win the men's and women's kabaddi golds while China's women defeated Japan in the handball decider, with Korea taking the men's honors.

On the final day of athletics, China won the men's 4x100m relay and Thailand unexpectedly took the women's title, while another Chinese, Li Yanxi, leapt furthest to win the men's triple jump and Uzbekistan's Svetlana Radzivil claimed high jump honors.

In the boxing ring, Syria's Mohammad Ghossoun strolled to the heavyweight title while Indian golden boy Vijender Singh took the middleweight crown.

Meanwhile, lightning-quick reigning Olympic champion Zou Shiming of China successfully defended his light-flyweight gold and Thailand's Worapoj Petchkoom became bantamweight champion.

Agence France-Presse