Asian Junior Champs Test Gifu

Gifu’s start zone
© FISA

Japan’s Nagaragawa Regatta Course in Gifu, the venue for the 2005 World Rowing Championships, held its first international event over the weekend hosting the 10^th Asian Junior Championships and the Japan Cup.

The Japan Cup, previously named the All Japan Lightweight Championships, was planned as the official test regatta for the newly developed venue but it was later agreed to combine this with the Asian Junior Championships to create an exciting week of racing. Over 450 athletes from seven Asian federations participated.

Seven events were on offer at the Asian Junior Championships including the single, double and quad scull for both men and women, and the coxless four for men.

In the final of the junior women’s single scull, Yoo Jin of Korea took an early lead from reigning Asian Junior Champion Lee Ka Man of Hong Kong. Yoo held this position through the halfway point with Eri Wakai of Japan moving into second place and Lee in third. With 500 metres to go Wakai took the lead, drawing away to take gold for Japan in 8:19. Korea was second with 8:24 and, using an outstanding final sprint, Gurnoor Kaur of India snatched the bronze medal from Lee at the line recording 8:29.

The junior men’s single final was an intense battle between Chow Kwong Wing of Hong Kong and Masashi Hisamura of Japan. Chow took a very slight lead at the start but was tracked to the halfway mark by Hisamura and Yun Jong-won of Korea. In the third 500 metres the Japanese sculler edged slightly into the lead with Chow keeping contact and Yun falling back. In the sprint to the line however it was Chow, a bronze medalist at the same event in 2003, who took the gold medal in 7:41. Hisamura of Japan was second in 7:42 and Yun of Korea third in 7:48.

In the junior women’s double scull Kazakhstan were the early leaders followed by Korea and Japan. Korea moved into the lead at the 1000 metre mark and they were able to draw away gradually to take the gold medal in a time of 7:45. Kazakhstan was second in 7:50 and Japan third in 7:54.

Less than two hours after the final of the single scull, gold medalist Chow Kwong Wing of Hong Kong was again in action in the final of the junior men’s double scull. Kazakhstan took the early lead, passing through the 500-metre mark very slightly ahead of Chow. At the halfway point the positions were reversed with Hong Kong taking a slight lead. With a strengthening headwind on the course and Chow racing in his second event of the day, fatigue began to take its toll on Chow Kwong Wing allowing Kazakhstan to take back the lead and draw away strongly for a comfortable win in 7:11. Hong Kong was second with 7:23 and Korea finished third in 7:30.

Wind conditions on the course strengthened as the day continued and by the final of the junior men’s coxless four waves were beginning to break over the bow of the boats. Kazakhstan and India coped best in the rough water and they drew away from the rest of the field from the start. Kazakhstan was the early leaders and held this position through to the finish despite a powerful challenge from India in the closing stages of the race. Their finishing time was 7:49 with India second in 7:50 and Japan third in 8:06. The Korean crew sank in rough water after crossing the finish line.

Weather conditions continued to deteriorate rapidly and a number of crews in the following Japan Cup races began to sink sending the rescue services into action. With the weather forecast predicting increasing wind speeds, and no further options to delay racing or change the race format, the Organizing Committee was left with no option but to cancel the remaining five races of the day in the interests of safety. This meant that the junior men’s and junior women’s quadruple sculls, together with three final races in the Japan Cup, were not held.

FISA representatives attending the event were extremely impressed by the extensive work that has been carried out by the Organizing Committee, the Japan Rowing Association and local authorities to prepare for the 2005 FISA World Rowing Championships. Much of the technical and organizational infrastructure has been completed and the remaining work is well on schedule.

Copy by Chris Perry