Track cycling star Sarah Lee still in a class of her own after clinching second China National Games title eight years after her first
- The 34-year-old Lee proves she is still the country’s best after beating Zhong Tianshi of Shanghai in final
- Lee targets second gold in keirin on final day of track cycling competition
Track cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze clinched the first gold medal for Hong Kong and proved she is still the best sprint racer in Asia after her victory in the women’s sprint at the National Games of China on Monday.
It was a second gold for the 34-year-old in her fourth National Games when she defeated long-time rival Zhong Tianshi of Shanghai in the final. Lee won both races in the best-of-three tie as she came from behind on both occasions to overcome her rival with a powerful dash to the line.
Lee was unbeaten in all three races on Monday – from the quarter-finals to final – claiming each contest in dominant 2-0 wins.
“I feel extremely fit today,” said the champion, who flew from Tokyo to Shanghai after the Olympic Games for a 21-day quarantine period before competing in the velodrome in Luoyang, Henan province. “There was no desire to sleep throughout the day and the schedule was not very tight so that I had sufficient time to recover between races. Also some opponents are young and I could work out my game plan very well.
Leung Ka-yu wins Hong Kong’s first medal at National Games
“There is still the keirin tomorrow (Tuesday) and I want to win it again.”
Lee was keirin champion at the 2013 National Games in Liaoning, where Zhong was also in contention. She also claimed a bronze medal in the same event and the sprint in Tianjin four years ago. Eight years later, Lee is a Chinese champion again.
Her success also maintained a perfect record for Hong Kong cycling at the National Games, winning a gold medal in each version since the SAR’s first participation at the 1997 Games in Shanghai after the reunification with the mainland.
Cycling Association chairman Leung Hung-tak was delighted with the result, saying it proved Lee had not dropped her form after the Olympics despite going through a lengthy quarantine before racing again, but losses for both the men’s and women’s madison teams was a disappointment.
“Lee proved she is still a top class sprinter with her experience and international exposure in sprinting events,” said the chief. “We are also confident she can do well in the keirin tomorrow judging from her performances so far in China. But there are always some unforeseeable factors that occur in keirin which may affect the final result. We’ll see.
“The men’s madison team was hit by the injury of one of the two riders the previous day but they still put up a strong fight despite failing to win a medal. Other Chinese riders have shown improvement as have the women’s madison racers.”
Leung Ka-yu suffered a crash in the omnium on Sunday and injured his right leg. His combination with Leung Chun-wing in the men’s madison team managed only fourth place. Hong Kong came second in the event in Tianjin four years ago.
The women’s team of Yang Qianyu and Pang Yao, who were the defending champions, finished sixth.
Sarah Lee stays on course for sprint medal at National Games
Also featuring in the final day of track cycling competition will be up-and-coming rider Lee Sze-wing, one of the potential future stars of Hong Kong cycling. She will start in the women’s omnium.
“Lee is one of our focus riders for the future. She has got the talent but may need more time to develop to the highest level. If she goes well tomorrow, she has a medal chance,” said the chairman.
Elsewhere on Monday, in badminton, Lee Cheuk-yiu lost his second round match 2-1 (20-22, 21-18, 12-21) in the men’s singles while doubles pair Chung Hon-lam and Or Chin-chung were also beaten, 2-0.
