BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week:
1. Flame lit for Hangzhou Asian Games as 100-day countdown begins
The flame is displayed after being lit during the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games Flame Lighting Ceremony at the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City park in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, on June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
The Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games flame was lit at the Liangzhu ancient city on Thursday, marking the 100-day countdown to the opening of the Games.
In 100 days, over 10,000 athletes and officials from across Asia will converge in Hangzhou and five co-host cities in Zhejiang Province, to compete in 483 medal events across 40 sports.
All 56 venues were completed and are being tested, and IOC President Thomas Bach and OCA director general Husain Al-Musallam heaped praise on Hangzhou's facilities and preparations for the Asian Games.
The Hangzhou Asian Games on its 100-day countdown also unveiled the medals for the Games as well as the materials to be used at award ceremonies.
2. Rural sports create viral and real-life sensation in China
This aerial photo taken on June 10, 2023 shows a "Village Super League" football match in Rongjiang County of southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
Following the villager-organized basketball tournament "CunBA" going viral, a rural football tournament nicknamed "Cun Chao" held in Rongjiang county, Southwest China's Guizhou Province has captured the attention of media, social platforms, and even overseas stars.
Villagers from different walks of life devoted amazing goal-scoring performances in the stadium often filled to capacity while rich ethnic cultures added more colors to the unique and entertaining competition.
In recent years, governments at all levels have increased efforts to promote development in rural China, resulting in the expansion and improvement of local sports venues and exercise facilities.
3. Wang and Hsieh clinch women's doubles title at Roland Garros
Wang Xinyu (L) of China/Hsieh Su-Wei of Chinese Taipei kiss the Simonne Mathieu Cup after winning the women's doubles final against Leylah Fernandez of Canada/Taylor Townsend of the United States at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, June 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Unseeded pair Wang Xinyu of China and Hsieh Su-wei of Chinese Taipei came from one set down to defeat No. 10 seeds Leylah Fernandez of Canada and Taylor Townsend of the United States 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-1 to win the women's doubles title at the French Open on June 11.
The 21-year-old rising Chinese star put a perfect end to her Roland Garros debut by capturing her first Grand Slam glory while 37-year-old Hsieh secured her fifth Grand Slam doubles title.
4. China's top sprinter Su withdraws from 2023 season
Su Bingtian of China looks on after the men's 100m heat at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in Eugene, Oregon, the United States, July 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
China's top sprinter Su Bingtian on June 12 announced his withdrawal from the 2023 season on his social media account.
In a statement, the current Asian men's 100m record holder disclosed that he decided to drop out of this year's World Athletics Championships and Hangzhou Asian Games and put a premature end to the 2023 season due to "physical reasons".
The 34-year-old was the first Chinese to run 100m in under 10 seconds in 2015, and with a personal best of 9.83 seconds at Tokyo, he is the fifth fastest man all-time in the category at the Olympics.
Despite dropping out this season, Su still expressed his dream of competing in Paris 2024 and the 2025 National Games in his hometown Guangdong.
5. Zhou leads China's 18-man training roster for FIBA men's World Cup
Zhou Qi (R) of China vies with Dmitriy Gavrilov of Kazakhstan during the Group F match between China and Kazakhstan of FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Hong Kong, south China, Feb. 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Lo Ping Fai)
Former NBA player Zhou Qi leads an 18-member roster of the Chinese men's basketball team as they will start a training camp on June 23 for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The names on the training camp squad are: Zhou Qi, Zhao Jiwei, Zhang Zhenlin, Fu Hao, Cheng Shuaipeng, Yu Jiahao, Sun Minghui, Zhu Junlong, Hu Jinqiu, He Xining, Zhou Peng, Zhao Rui, Hu Mingxuan, Du Runwang, Fang Shuo, Zeng Fanbo, Cui Yongxi, Wang Zhelin.
6. Wu Yibing defeats Nick Kyrgios to notch first win on grass at ATP Stuttgart
Wu Yibing of China reacts during a men's singles first round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia at Boss Open 2023 tennis tournament in Stuttgart, Germany, June 13, 2023. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
China's rising star Wu Yibing notched the first win on grass in his pro-career by defeating eighth seed Nick Kyrgios of Australia on June 13 at ATP250 Stuttgart Boss Open in Germany.
The 23-year-old first ATP title winner from the Chinese mainland grabbed an impressive opening win over 2022 Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios 7-5, 6-3 in the first round of the Stuttgart tournament.■
