What are the Asian Games?
The Asian Games are a monumental continental multi-sport event, where Asian countries battle it out in 40 different sports to win as many medals as they can to put their country at the top of the rankings. For some sports, it also serves as an Olympic qualifier. The event is currently in full swing from September 23rd (21st for sailing), with the closing ceremony scheduled for October 8th at the Hangzhou Sports Park Stadium.
The sailing races took place in the waters of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
For the full list of medals per country visit: The Asian Games official website
This prestigious gathering marks the 110th anniversary since the start of this continental event, which first started in 1913, with the Far Eastern Championship Games. As the event nears its conclusion, and with the sailing medals already being assigned, the world has witnessed an incredible display of athleticism, skill, and sportsmanship.
49er and 49erFX
Representing eight countries in the 49er class and six countries in the 49erFX class, the athletes have been fully committed to raising their national flags high and clinching those coveted medals. While this event may not serve as an Olympic qualifier for these talented sailors, their steadfast goal remains unchanged: to bring pride to their nations on the international stage.
View recap instagram reel: https://www.instagram.com/p/CxqdMZTtXRi/?hl=en
Koh Yi Nian/Tan Jen-E (L) of Singapore and Suthon Yampinid/Kan Kachachuen of Thailand compete during the Men’s Skiff 49er Race of sailing at the 19th Asian Games in Ningbo, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
In the realm of competitive sailing, success is often measured in fractions of seconds and the finest margins. KC Ganapathy and Varun Thakkar, India’s bronze medallists from Jakarta 2018, found themselves in the thick of this high-stakes drama. After a spirited performance, including a second-place finish in race 13, they stood third in the standings. However, the medal race proved to be a slippery slope, as they secured a fifth-place finish in the final race. With a net points count of 48, they narrowly missed the podium, ceding the top honors to:
GOLD: China, Wen Zaiding and Liu Tian
SILVER: Oman, Al Hadi Musab Mohammed Sulaiyam and Al-Kendi Waleed Issa Al-Habashi
BRONZE: Hong Kong, Sakai Akira Luke and Aylsworth Russel Williams
GOLD: China, Hu Xiaoyu ans Shan Mengyuan
SILVER: Japan, Tanaka Misaki and Nagamatsu Sera
BRONZE: Singapore, Lim Kimberly and Low Rui Qi Cecilia
Sailors compete during the Women’s Skiff 49erFX Race of sailing at the 19th Asian Games in Ningbo, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Hu Xiaoyu/Shan Mengyuan of China compete during the Women’s Skiff 49erFX Race of sailing at the 19th Asian Games in Ningbo, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Nacra 17
In the Nacra 17 class, the event was also not a qualifier for the Paris Olympics. Nevertheless, 5 boats competed for medals for their country. China sailed to victory in a thrilling Medal Race, securing the gold medal. Singapore’s determined performance and third place in the Medal race earned them silver overall, while Japan clinched bronze. The final standings remained consistent:
GOLD: China, Zhao Huancheng and Wang Saibo
SILVER: Singapore, Liu Xiaman Justin and Lim Ke Xin Denise
BRONZE: Japan, Iitsuka Shibuki and Nishida Capiglia Oura
Zhao Huancheng/Wang Saibo of China compete during the Mixed Multihull Nacra 17 Race of Sailing at the 19th Asian Games in Ningbo, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Zhao Huancheng (L)/Wang Saibo of China compete during the Mixed Multihull Nacra 17 Race of Sailing at the 19th Asian Games in Ningbo, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
