Asian Games 2023: 5 things you need to know on the first full day of events in Hangzhou
- Sunday’s Hangzhou highlights include medal events in artistic gymnastics, judo, modern pentathlon, swimming, fencing, rowing, shooting, taekwondo and wushu
- Hong Kong’s biggest names and brightest medal hopes will go straight into action, notably swimmer Siobhan Haughey, fencer Cheung Ka-long and the rugby sevens teams
The Asian Games officially started on Saturday, and despite events taking place last week, the real business begins on Sunday.
There are medal events in artistic gymnastics, judo, modern pentathlon, swimming, fencing, rowing, shooting, taekwondo and wushu.
For Hong Kong, that means the likes of Siobhan Haughey, Cheung Ka-long, Vivian Kong Man-wai and Samuel Hui Tak-yan are all in action.
If that wasn’t enough, the men’s sevens rugby team begins the defence of their gold medal and the women are in action as well.
1. A gentle start
Haughey is not normally associated with the breaststroke, but she’s down to race in the fourth heat of the 50m breaststroke at the Hangzhou Olympic Centre Aquatic Sports Arena.
Apparently she’s “doing it for fun”. Races start at 11.08am with the final slated for 8.32pm.
2. En garde
The city’s fencers dive right in at the deep end on Sunday, with the men and women competing for individual glory in the foil and épée respectively.
That means Olympic champion Cheung Ka-long, and world No 2 Vivian Kong will be in action.
3. Title on the line
Fresh from his duties as one of the city’s flag-bearers at the opening ceremony, Salom Yiu Kam-shing and his rugby sevens teammates begin the defence of their gold medal.
Hong Kong’s men take on Malaysia and the Philippines in their first two games in Pool A, at 1.20pm and 6.30pm respectively.
The women are in action in Pool F, with matches against India, at 12.30pm, and Singapore, at 5.40pm.
4. Who’s for wushu?
Samuel Hui won gold at the World University Games and has another medal in his sights here. His competition runs through Sunday.
5. Not enough for you?
Well, if you want more, then the shooting has the women competing in individual and team events in the 10m air rifle, and in rowing, the men and women are going for gold in the double sculls, the fours, the eights and whatever else they can find that floats.
