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National Games of China 2017
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Hong Kong's Leung Chun-wing (right) and his coach Shen Jinkang celebrate winning gold in the men's omnium at the National Games in Tianjin. Photo: Handout

Gold again for Hong Kong as cyclist Leung Chun-wing shows his class in the omnium

The former world junior champion grabs the all-round gold in the velodrome at the National Games in Tianjin as the city’s riders collect medals again

Cyclist Leung Chun-wing clinched the second gold medal for Hong Kong at the National Games after victory in the men’s omnium in the velodrome in Tianjin on Saturday.

Leung, who also represented Hong Kong in the same discipline at the Rio Olympics last summer, was tied with Jiang Zhihui of Liaoning in fifth place after the first three events but both riders came back strongly in the last event, the points race.

Fast-improving Leung, who was also the 2012 world junior champion in the points race, finally took gold with a total of 137 point. Jiang was second on 134, while third place went to Liu Hao of Jilin, who scored 130.

It’s the second time Hong Kong has collected two gold medals in cycling at the National Games, the last time they achieved the feat was at the 2001 Games in Guangdong when Wong Kam-po and Ho Siu-lun won the men’s road race and points race respectively.

Leung Chun-wing showed his class in the omnium. Photo: Dickson Lee

However, Hong Kong has a good chance of increasing its medal tally when the road race events start next week. Professional rider Cheung King-lok and reigning Asian women’s road race champion Yang Qianyu, who captured Hong Kong’s first gold for Hong Kong in Tianjin in the madison with Pang Yao, could really shine at the Games.

“We have put a lot of effort on preparing for the National Games and all the hard work has paid off,” said cycling association chairman Leung Hung-tak. “Cycling has always been a stronghold for Hong Kong [to showcase their skills] at the National Games and we are happy we can keep up with the good work.”

Leung Chun-wing (left) in training for the National Games at Hong Kong Velodrome in Tseung Kwan O. Photo: Dickson Lee

Champion Leung will collect HK$300,000 for his victory under the Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme. He has already pocketed HK$120,000 in the men’s madison where he won a silver medal with Ko Siu-wai on Friday.

In the women’s keirin, Sarah Lee Wai-sze surrendered her crown as she disappointed again. She picked up another bronze medal in a tough battle that saw her lose to champion Guo Shuang of Shanghai and runner-up Lin Junhong of Heilongjiang. Lee also won the sprint bronze the day before.

Hong Kong clinched another bronze medal in fencing last night after the men’s team foil defeated Fujian in the third place playoff. Featuring Nicholas Edward Choi, the silver medallist in the individual event, Hong Kong won the tie 45-37.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Leung adds another gold for HK riders
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