NAGOYA, Japan, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- For Chinese athletes competing at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Thursday was more than just another day of competition.
Thousands of kilometers from home, they marked China's National Day in their own way: competing in the national colors on a sailing course, tennis court, diving platform or football pitch.
On the water, Liu Tian and Wen Zaiding defended the men's skiff title.
"We defended our title, which gives us confidence," Wen said. "Our Olympic and international experience gives us a solid foundation to aim for a medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics."
At 37, Zhang Shuai reached the women's singles final with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva.
It could be Zhang's last Asian Games, but the Chinese veteran showed little inclination to treat the occasion simply as a farewell.
Professional tennis is largely built around individual rankings and tournaments, but representing one's country can bring a different dimension.
"Although tennis is a professional sport, every athlete has a different spark when they talk about events like the Davis Cup, Hopman Cup," Zhang said. "There is a different sense of pride that you don't get from tournaments on the tour."
That sense of pride was also evident on the diving platform.
China won its 100th Asian Games diving gold on Wednesday, marking another milestone for one of the country's traditionally strong sports.
After winning the women's 10m platform gold, Paris 2024 Olympic champion Chen Yuxi recalled loving clothes bearing the Chinese national flag when she was young and still cherishing her first national team uniform. Now, seeing the flag on her chest before a competition has become familiar.
"I'm very excited and proud. Winning a gold medal is one way I can make my country proud," she said.
For some Chinese athletes, however, National Day came with defeat, even as their efforts drew strong support from the stands.
Thousands of Chinese supporters gathered at Nagai Stadium in Osaka on Wednesday to back China's men's football team, which reached the Asian Games semifinals for the first time in 28 years.
Facing a South Korean side featuring several Europe-based players, China took the lead through striker Wang Yudong before South Korea fought back for a 2-1 win. The defeat did little to quiet the Chinese supporters, who continued urging the team to fight until the final whistle.
For a team seeking progress after years of disappointment, reaching the semifinals offered signs of improvement.
"Everyone can leave the field with their heads held high today," said China striker Zhang Yuning. "We still have dreams, and we still have to keep working hard." ■
