BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week:
1. Hangzhou Asian Games closes as "unprecedented success"
The closing ceremony of the 19th Asian Games is held at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)
The 19th Asian Games concluded in Hangzhou on October 8 under the theme of "Enduring Memories of Hangzhou" for the closing ceremony, highlighting the power and unity of sports and the Asian Games.
Over the past 16 days, around 12,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions shared unforgettable moments in Hangzhou, marking the third time that China has hosted the continental multi-sports event, following Beijing in 1990 and Guangzhou in 2010.
With breakdancing and esports making their debut as official medal sports, the Hangzhou Asian Games featured 40 sports, 61 disciplines and 481 events. China clinched 201 golds, 111 silvers and 71 bronzes, finishing atop the medal tally for the 11th consecutive edition since 1982 and bettering its previous record of 199 golds at Guangzhou 2010.
"The power of sport, the power of the Asian Games is to unite us all in life. I would like to thank the Chinese government, the Chinese Olympic Committee, the people of Hangzhou and the Hangzhou Organizing Committee (HAGOC) for what you have done and ensured that the Hangzhou Asian Games were an unprecedented success," said the OCA acting president Raja Randhir Singh.
2. China to send 439 athletes to Hangzhou Asian Para Games
A photo taken on Oct. 11, 2023 shows the unveiling ceremony of the Chinese delegation for the Hangzhou Asian Para Games. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)
China on October 11 announced a delegation of 723 members, including 439 athletes, for the upcoming Asian Para Games to be held in Hangzhou from October 22 to 28.
The 221 male and 218 female athletes will compete in 397 events of all 22 disciplines of the Hangzhou Asian Para Games.
The average age of the athletes is 26.5 years old. The oldest is the 58-year-old table tennis player Gao Yanming and the youngest is 13-year-old chess player Yang Yixiao.
Among them, 247 athletes have a college degree or above. And all the 439 athletes are amateurs as they are farmers, students, workers, and freelancers.
The delegation eyes keeping the leading position in the Asian Para Games, demonstrating both sports performance and morality, living up to the commitment of "two games of equal splendor", according to the deputy head of the delegation Zhao Sujing.
3. Flame for Hangzhou Asian Para Games lit in Guangzhou
The flame is displayed after being lit during the flame lighting ceremony for the 4th Asian Para Games in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 12, 2023. The games will run from Oct. 22 to 28 in Hangzhou and other co-host cities in east China's Zhejiang province. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)
The Hangzhou Asian Para Games flame was ignited in Guangzhou, the host city for the first Asian Para Games, on October 12.
The flame lantern was then transported to Hangzhou by high-speed train under the escort of officials from the Games organizing committee.
The torch relay for the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games will commence on October 19, and the main torch will be ignited at the opening ceremony on the 22nd as the fourth Asian Para Games will be held in Hangzhou from October 22 to 28.
4. China beats Vietnam in an international football friendly
Tan Long (R) of China vies with Do Hung Dung (C) of Vietnam during an international friendly football match between China and Vietnam in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Oct. 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
Second-half goals from Wang Qiuming and Wu Lei earned China's men's football team a 2-0 win against Vietnam in an international friendly on October 10 in Dalian.
Following a disappointing 1-0 loss against Syria on home turf in September, China head coach Aleksandar Jankovic made multiple changes to his starting lineup including introducing youngsters Wu Shaocong and Fang Hao.
The hosts had their best scoring opportunity in the first half in the 34th minute, while Tan Long's powerful header hit the post.
Wang broke the deadlock with his maiden international goal in the 56th minute when he volleyed home after collecting a left cross from Liu Yang.
5. Djordjevic gives hopes for China's basketball future
Coach of Team China Aleksandar Djordjevic is seen during the Men's Bronze Medal Game of Basketball between China and Chinese Taipei at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, China's men's basketball national team head coach Aleksandar Djordjevic suggested China basketball change the 48-minute games to 40 in order to familiarize itself with modern FIBA basketball rhythm, internationalize the domestic leagues, relax age entry in the CBA league and put more regulation works to improve refereeing quality.
The Chinese side had a disappointing 29th finish at the FIBA World Cup in Manila to fail to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and China received another hard strike in Hangzhou, as their plan of defending the Asian Games championship was pitilessly smashed by the Philippines in the semifinal.
The CBA president Yao Ming stated in an earlier interview with Xinhua that he would take full responsibility and is planning a "big surgery" on China basketball.
