China's Liu, Japan's Nakarai win gold in breakdancing at Asiad, secure Olympic spot
- By Wang Yiming
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E-mail China.org.cn, October 8, 2023
17-year-old Chinese athlete Liu Qingyi defeated Japan's Ami Yuasa with a score of 2-1, securing the first gold medal for China in the women's breakdancing event at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Oct. 7.
In the men's competition, Japan's Shigeyuki Nakarai emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over South Korean veteran Kim Hongyul.
The Asian Games also served as the Olympic qualifying competition for breakdancing, with the male and female champions earning direct qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In the battle for third place in the women's event, Japanese athlete Ayumi Fukushima outperformed China's Zeng Yingying to claim the bronze medal. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Chinese athlete Qi Xiangyu secured bronze in the men's event, incorporating the "drunken fist" move, a traditional Chinese martial arts technique, into his performance.
Liu expressed her joy at winning gold, acknowledging the challenges she faced both physically and mentally. She also expressed her excitement about earning a ticket to the Paris Olympics, calling it "a reward for her long-term preparation and training." Liu believes that winning gold at the Asian Games has boosted her confidence, and is looking forward to representing China in Paris.
Nakarai, 21, expressed his happiness at winning the gold medal and his enjoyment of the high-level of competition. He also stated his joy at breakdancing becoming an Olympic sport and his determination to both become a better dancer and win the gold medal in France.
Nakarai also praised his Chinese competitors, acknowledging their amazing performances. "I think that breakdancing is developing very quickly in China," he said.
Liu Qingyi of China competes during the women's breakdancing gold medal battle at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Oct. 7, 2023. [Photo/Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee]
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