Li Na Wins Women's Sprint Cycling Gold at Asian Games

Home>>Sports

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, October 08, 2002

Li Na Wins Women's Sprint Cycling Gold at Asian Games

Li Na won the title of the cycling women's sprint at the Asian Games Tuesday. Japanese KaMaya Tachikawa was beaten 2-0 by Li Na in the finalsand had to settle for the silver medal.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Chinese world Keirin champion Li Na beat Tachikawa Maya of Japan 2-0 in the best-of-three women's cycling sprint final on Tuesday for China's 100th gold medal at the Busan Asian Games.

Japanese Kaneko Takashi defeated Josiah Ng Onn Lam from Malaysia with the same score to win the men's sprint title.

"I was very confident that I would win," said the 19-year-old Li. "I have been training in Switzerland for a year and taken part in a lot of top competitions, which greatly boosted my confidence."

Li met no tough challenge in both final races.

Li, a former speed skater, went into cycling in March, 1999 andmade her mark in the sport very quickly. She finished third in the women's sprint at the national games in 2001 before claiming Keirin titles in August's World Cup race and September's world track cycling championships.

"She is very talented," said Chinese team leader Tian Junrong. "And she is very diligent."

South Korean Ku Hyun-jin beat Li's compatriot Tian Fang to win the bronze medal.

"She is really good," said Frederic Magne, Li's French coach who has trained her for the last year. "She has very good techniques,"

"But she still has to improve on her start," he added.

In the men's bronze medal race, Japanese Isezaki Akihiro came from behind to beat host rider Kim Hyung-il.

Questions?Comments? Click here

China Men's Cycling Team Beaten by Inexperience: Coach

>> Full Coverage

Developer Plans to Raise Titanic in Shanghai ( 2 Messages)

Fewer Slogans, More Practical, Reflect Social Changes in China ( 3 Messages)

China Opposes US Congress Committee's Interference in China's Internal Affairs ( 2 Messages)

Multinationals Fight for Chinese Markets ( 2 Messages)