BEIJING, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week:
1. Hangzhou Asian Games unveils victory ceremony elements, torch relay schedule and more
The design of the Victory Ceremony bouquet for the Hangzhou Asian Games, which was unveiled in Hangzhou, China, on Aug. 24, 2023. (Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee/Handout via Xinhua)
As the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou marked its 30-day countdown on August 24, organizers unveiled the victory ceremony elements - bouquets, trays, and podiums. These elements not only highlight Hangzhou's distinctive cultural identity but also showcase the city's allure.
Meanwhile, the torch relay for the Hangzhou Asian Games will start on September 8 and cover 11 cities in east China's Zhejiang Province until September 20.
According to the organizing committee, some 37,600 volunteers, who are mainly students from 46 universities in Zhejiang Province, will provide various services during the Games.
2. Zhang defends world title with commanding performance at UFC 292
Zhang Weili (R) in action against Brazil's Amanda Lemos at UFC 292 in Boston, August 20, 2023. (Handout via Xinhua)
Zhang Weili retained her UFC Strawweight World title in a dominant wrestling performance against Brazilian Amanda Lemos at UFC 292 in Boston, Massachusetts on August 20.
Zhang set a new strike record and a new margin for the largest strike differential in history with 296 strikes to Lemos' 20. The judges' scorecards reflected the domination, with Zhang winning 50-43, 50-44 and 49-45 to take a clear unanimous decision.
3. China suffer opening loss to Serbia at FIBA World Cup
Zhao Rui (Top) of China goes for a layup during the Group B match against Serbia at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila, the Philippines, Aug. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
China lost to Group B favorites Serbia 105-63 in their 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup opener in Manila on Saturday.
Zhao Rui scored a team-high 17 points for China, and Zhou Qi made all six attempts to add 12. Li Kaier went scoreless from nine attempts, while grabbing four rebounds and dishing out four assists.
China now face South Sudan on August 28.
4. Gong, Feng collect bronzes at 2023 World Athletics Championships
Gong Lijiao of China competes during the women's shot put qualification at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Aug. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
In the women's shot put final at the World Athletics Championships on August 26, China's two-time world champion Gong Lijiao finished third in 19.69m. Gong, 34, was not satisfied with her performance.
"I could not find my top form during the competition. Maybe I should participate in more international competitions in the rest of the season as I was kind of missing the feeling of battling with those girls," said Gong, who won the Olympic gold medal in her personal best of 20.58m two years ago in Tokyo.
While on August 23, defending world champion Feng Bin bested her season's record four times, culminating in a throw of 68.20m to secure a bronze in the women's discus throw final.
5. Yao Ming inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame
Chinese Basketball Association president Yao Ming at the draw ceremony for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 in Quezon City, the Philippines, April 29, 2023. (Str/Xinhua)
Chinese basketball great Yao Ming has been inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame along with other 11 individuals in an enshrinement ceremony that took place in Manila, Indonesia on August 24.
Yao, current president of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), was selected No. 1 overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2002 NBA draft. The eight-time NBA All-Star retired in 2011, and his No. 11 jersey has been retired by the Rockets.
6. China promoted to top division in ice hockey Women's World Championship
Zhang Xifang (L) of China competes against Denmark at the ice hockey Women's World Championship Group A of Division I in Shenzhen, China, August 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)
China has secured promotion to the top division of the ice hockey Women's World Championship for the first time since 2009 after beating Austria 2-0 in Group A of the event's Division I in Shenzhen, China on August 24.
The Chinese team remain a perfect 4-0 after four rounds of play. They will face the Netherlands in their last group game on Saturday.■
