Asian Games 2023: Hong Kong climbers reach knockouts but Persian Cheetah prevails – after China’s world No 1 blows chance
- Wong Cheuk-nam qualifies on Games debut, while Shoji Chan improves on his 2018 finish despite illness
- China’s Wu Peng makes false start in semi-finals, clearing the way for Reza Alipour Shenazandifard of Iran
Hong Kong’s Wong Cheuk-nam and Shoji Chan Cheung-chi reached new personal heights in the Asian Games sport climbing, but it was “the Persian Cheetah” who finished at the summit – after China’s hopes ended with a false start and a fall.
The city’s duo made it through the men’s speed qualification on Tuesday before Wong was eliminated by Reza Alipour Shenazandifard of Iran – the 2018 winner and owner of the big cat nickname. Chan’s interest was ended by world No 1 Wu Peng of China.
A time of 5.790 seconds in his first attempt at the Shaoxing Keqiao Yangshan Sport Climbing Centre had helped Wong, 22, to qualify in 13th place on his Games debut.
“My personal best is 5.658 [in training in Hong Kong], so I was happy I managed my average time on my first try,” he said.
The Hongkonger was disappointed with a slip during his second attempt, which left him with a cut middle finger, as he clocked only 7.021 seconds.