Huang Juan of China competes during the women's canoe slalom heat at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)
HANGZHOU, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- All four Chinese athletes advanced to the semifinals in their respective events of the Hangzhou Asian Games canoe slalom competitions here on Thursday.
Former Asian champion Li Lu was in top form, posting the quickest qualifying time in the women's kayak. Kurumi Ito finished second, while Chinese Taipei paddler Chang Chu-Han was third fastest.
Li Lu of China competes during the women's kayak heat at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)
In the women's canoe, China's Huang Juan finished first, followed by Haruka Okazaki from Japan. Finishing third was Atcharaporn Duanglawa from Thailand.
Quan Xin of China competes during the men's kayak heat at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)
There were no surprises that Quan Xin of China, defending champion of men's kayak, qualified for the semifinal. The 26-year-old had a strong 2022 season, finishing seventh at the world championships and sixth in the World Cup.
He was ranked second in the heat, with Japanese athletes Yuuki Tanaka and Kosuke Saito placing first and third, respectively.
In the men's canoe, Uzbekistan's Anvar Klevleev and Kazakhstan's Alexandr Kulikov finished first and second in their heats, becoming favorites in the event with the absence of Japanese elite canoeist Haneda Takuya. Xie Yuancong of China was third fastest.
The canoe slalom competitions continue on Friday and Saturday with semifinals and finals, offering four gold medals at the Fuyang Water Sports Center. ■
