Advertisement
Asian Games 2018
SportChina

Asian Games: injuries mar paragliding debut as China athlete breaks his leg and Afghan falls 15 metres

Athletes have been told to be cautious in unpredictable wind conditions in the West Java city of Bogor

2-MIN READ2-MIN
Hong Kong’s Eric Yam Chi-wai takes part in the men’s individual accuracy event. Photos: Reuters
Nazvi Careem

Before the Hong Kong paragliders left for the Asian Games, they insisted the sport was safe. This was just a few days after paragliding enthusiast Patrick Chung Yuk-wa, 44, died after he was swept off course and his body was found near Sunset Peak on Lantau Island.

Two accidents have already marred the sport in its Asian Games debut in Bogor, West Java, with Chinese athlete Wang Jianwei and Afghanistan flier Lida Hozoori taken to hospital after crashing during competition.

Hong Kong paragliders, who are not in medal contention so far in the competition, are safe, says an official of the Hong Kong Olympic Committee.

Advertisement

The paragliding is taking place in the resort of Puncak in Bogor, a city about 51 kilometres south of Jakarta.

Hong Kong’s Wong Pak-shing lines up his landing.
Hong Kong’s Wong Pak-shing lines up his landing.
Advertisement

The wind conditions are constantly changing and speeds often drop dramatically within seconds, forcing paragliders to be extra cautious.

Wang, 36, broke his left leg when he crash-landed on Wednesday and was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Jakarta. He was in stable condition.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x