China takes three golds as Boonson ties Asian 200m record

Puripol Boonson of Thailand celebrates after the men's 200m final at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Yuchen)

NAGOYA, Japan, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Puripol Boonson tied the Asian record of 19.88 seconds in the men's 200m, while China claimed three athletics gold medals at the 2026 Asian Games on Sunday in the men's 110m hurdles, women's long jump and women's javelin.

Chen Yuanjiang started China's run of victories by winning the men's 110m hurdles in 13.15 seconds. Japan's Rachid Muratake took silver, while the Philippines' John Tolentino claimed bronze.

China had won the event at 10 consecutive Asian Games before that streak ended at the 2023 edition in Hangzhou.

"I'm thrilled. We've taken this gold medal back," said Chen, who shouted, "Who's No. 1? I am!" as he crossed the finish line.

In the women's javelin, Asian record holder Yan Ziyi needed just one throw to secure gold, launching the javelin 70.46 meters on her opening attempt. Olympic champion Haruka Kitaguchi of Japan took silver with 62.70 meters.

Yan Ziyi of China in action during the women's javelin final. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)

Yan's mark also broke the Asian Games record of 66.09 meters set by compatriot and Olympic medalist Liu Shiying.

"I didn't expect to wrap it up in one throw. My plan was actually to take it through my first two attempts, but the first one just came out well," said Yan, who had tears in her eyes after the competition.

"I'm thrilled, and I can't wait to hear the anthem play," she said.

Asked to compare herself with Chinese shot put great Gong Lijiao, Yan played down the comparison.

"I don't think I can compare myself to her. She's a role model for me. I still have to keep learning from her and chasing what she's achieved."

Gold medalist Yan Ziyi (L) of China poses with her coach after the women's javelin. (Xinhua/Jia Yuchen)

Looking ahead to next year's world championships in Beijing and the Olympics the following year, Yan said: "I'll keep working with my coach, and I'm hoping for the top spot."

"I plan to save the new record for the world championships in Beijing, so stay tuned for that," she added.

In the women's 200m, Singapore's Shanti Pereira clocked a season-best 22.78 seconds to retain her Asian Games title, while China's 17-year-old Chen Yujie, who won the 100m in a Games record, took silver in 22.93.

Chen called Pereira "a rival worth respecting."

Chen Yujie of China celebrates after the women's 200m final. (Xinhua/Jia Yuchen)

"I planned to stay with her through the bend and then look for a chance to pass on the straight, but I'd used up too much energy in the first half," she said.

Asked about returning to high school after the Games, Chen said her parents and those around her had given her nothing but support.

"They've told me not to worry about the pressure from the internet. They never set winning gold as some hard target for me; they just want me to give it everything I've got while staying healthy."

Puripol Boonson of Thailand celebrates after the men's 200m final. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

Boonson equaled the Asian record set by China's Xie Zhenye in 2019 with his 19.88-second run in the men's 200m final. China's 21-year-old Huang Youwen took silver in 20.45.

"It was the first time I'd ever raced someone at that level, and it was a great experience. I'd never felt a gap that big before," Huang said. "We were only 50 meters in, and I could already tell how fast he was. He's just really, really fast."

Looking ahead to next year's world championships, Huang added: "When you're young, you should dream big - set your sights on the result first, and figure out how to get there later."

In the women's long jump, China's Huang Yingying came from behind with a sixth-round leap of 6.55 meters to edge India's Ancy Sojan Edappilly by two centimeters for gold. Huang's compatriot Tan Mengyi took bronze with 6.46 meters.

Huang Yingying of China in action during the women's long jump final. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)

Huang said she was far from satisfied with her performance and acknowledged that the outcome had depended on her rival's final attempts.

"Having the gold come down to whether your opponent slips up is a really nerve-wracking way to win," she said. "I need to build up my own strength, so I have more of a safety net mentally."

Huang also competed in Thursday's triple jump, taking silver.

"My main focus is still triple jump training. Doubling up in the long jump is really just for the Asian stage," she said. "I'm hoping for a better showing on a bigger stage next year at the world championships in Beijing, and at the Olympics the year after, if I can qualify."

In the men's high jump, Chinese Taipei's Fu Chao-hsuan cleared 2.25 meters to beat India's Sarvesh Kushare for gold. Qatar's 35-year-old Olympic medalist Mutaz Barshim withdrew from the final.

Earlier Sunday, Japan's Hayato Katsuki clocked 3:03:36 to beat China's Zhou Yingcheng for the men's marathon race walk title, while Kazakhstan's Yasmina Toxanbayeva won the women's race in 3:22:20. China's Danzengquzong and Ma Li took silver and bronze, respectively, in the women's event.

The first round of the 4x100m relays was also held Sunday, with China's men's and women's teams both winning their heats to advance to the finals.