Asian Games – Second Day of Finals

W2x receive their medals in front of hundreds of spectators at the Asian Games in Busan
© FISA

FISA’s Comepitive Rowing Commission Chairman John Boultbee reports.

China dominated the gold medals at the 14^th Asian Games rowing competition which finished today (Thursday) on the Nakdong River Rowing Course in Busan, Korea.  Of the 13 events, China won 12, with Japan preventing a clean sweep by taking out the men’s lightweight double sculls.

In all 13 of the 17 competing nations won medals, showing the increased depth and breadth of rowing on the Asian continent.

Today, China started with a win in the men’s lightweight four, ahead of Japan and Indonesia, and then followed up with the lightweight women’s double scull with  Thailand second and Japan third.  Ten years ago, rowing did not exist in Thailand, and to come away from the Asian Games with 2 silver medals is a tribute to this new rowing nation.  Phuttharaksa Nikree added this event to her silver in the lightweight single yesterday and signalled that Thailand has a chance of qualifying a lightweight women’s double scull for the Athens Olympic Games.

In the lightweight men’s double scull, the bad luck throughout the year of Japan’s Daisaku Takeda and Kazushige Ura finally ended when they won the gold medal here in  Busan.  After catching a buoy in the closing stages of the World Cup final in Munich and then succumbing to illness in Seville, it seems this talented double would not show its true colours in 2002.  However, an 11 second win over China and the Philippines in a time of 7 minutes flat in a brisk head wind indicated that they are worthy Asian Champions.

The men’s double sculls went to China in a time of 7 minutes 33 in an increasing headwind.  Kazakhstan took second place with Korea third.  The host nation was also third in the women’s pair behind China and Uzbekistan, whilst the women’s double sculls saw the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea) take out third behind China and Japan.

The men’s eight closed the regatta with China picking up its twelfth gold medal in convincing fashion with Japan second and Uzbekistan third.

The Asian Games is the most important event for the Asian nations and it was a worthy regatta of impressive performances in 2002.  The 2006 Asian Games will take place in Doha, Qatar.

For full 2002 results visit http://busanasiangames.org/eng/

Medal Table for 2002 Asian Games – Rowing