Asian Para Games Day 1: Chinese canoeist wins 1st gold as China leads tally

HANGZHOU, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The first competition day of the Hangzhou Asian Para Games on Monday witnessed Chinese canoeist Xie Maosan pocketing the first gold and China claiming 31 out of 72 golds on offer.

The canoeing events, which have been included in the Asian Para Games for the first time, took place at the FY Water Sports Center. The 37-year-old Xie established an early lead right after the women's KL1 final began and finished in 55.478 seconds.

"I am extremely thrilled to have won this gold medal. It's an honor to bring glory to my homeland," said the former tailor.

Inspired by the wheelchair dancers who performed at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympics in 2008, Xie made up her mind to take part in sports events. In 2015, she tried out for canoeing and was picked by a coach.

"I will train even harder in the future to prepare for the Paris Paralympics, try my best to raise our national flag on the international stage!" said Xie.

Ranking third on the tally with six gold medals, Uzbekistan triumphed in women's VL2, VL3 and men's KL2 canoeing categories.

China also bagged six out of 25 golds up for grabs in athletics on Monday, including the women's wheelchair race 1,500m-T54, which was won by 26-year-old Zhou Shaoqian.

"The 1,500m is not my strongest event. I was lucky enough to win a gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics, and this time I think I won with luck again," Zhou said.

In the pool, China swept 12 out of 19 swimming golds. Xu Haijiao, who won the men's 400m freestyle-S8 and the men's 200m IM-SM8, led with two gold medals.

Two new world records were set in powerlifting and archery. Guo Lingling broke the records three times in powerlifting women's -41kg final, while Arab Ameri Mohammad Reza of Iran shot 667 points in the men's recurve 72-arrow 70m qualification round.

At the end of Day 1, China led the medal tally with 31 gold, 29 silver, and 23 bronze medals. Iran followed with nine golds. Uzbekistan and India each secured six golds.