China dominates sailing with five golds at Asian Beach Games

SANYA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- China dominated the sailing competition at the 6th Asian Beach Games, collecting five gold, two silver and two bronze medals as all the events concluded on Tuesday.

China's Cheng Wenyu won gold in the girls' Optimist event, with Singapore's Anya Alessia Zahedi and Thailand's Pariyaporn Chantarawong taking silver and bronze, respectively. In the boys' Optimist, Thailand's Rachata Sadtrakulwattana won gold ahead of teammate Sorawit Naksuk, while Malaysia's Muhammad Yaasin Bin Syahrizan claimed bronze.

Cheng, a Hainan native, was delighted to win on home waters. "I'm very happy to win gold in my hometown," she said, adding that she's confident sailing will continue to grow if more people pay attention to the sport.

In the girls' ILCA4 event, 16-year-old Yan Guoguo of China won gold, followed by Thailand's Pailin Jaroenpon and Singapore's Nia Mehry Zahedi. Singapore's Ian Goh took gold in the boys' ILCA4, with Thailand's Hussaluk Srinakorn second and South Korea's Jiun Choi third.

Foil windsurfing and Formula Kite, which made their Olympic debut at Paris 2024, have both been included in the sailing program at the Asian Beach Games. In the boys' foil windsurfing, 20-year-old Wang Yiguo of China won gold, with the Philippines' Dhenver John Castillo and Thailand's Wachirawit Thonup taking silver and bronze. On girls' part, China's Chen Yimin topped the podium and Li Qing took bronze, while Yuen Ching Suet of Hong Kong, China took silver.

Wang said his original goal was simply a podium finish. "Being able to compete at a major Asian event is very meaningful for me," he said, adding that he hopes to step onto a bigger international stage.

China's Ma Zilin, 18, won gold in the women's Formula Kite, with teammate Li Shuxuan taking silver and South Korea's Lee Youngeun bronze. In the men's Formula Kite, Thailand's Joseph Jonathan Weston claimed gold, while China's Xue Shiming and Yang Xinnuo secured silver and bronze.

Thailand finished second overall with two gold medals, while Singapore took one.

"The sailing event progressed in an orderly way according to plan," said David Brookes, chief referee for sailing at the Asian Beach Games, noting that the favorable weather conditions in Sanya Bay allow training and competition to be held throughout the year. Enditem