Hong Kong Asian Games athletes surpass Guangzhou Games total
Competitors have surpassed the 40 podium places they achieved in Guangzhou four years ago, with bowling, karate and rugby contributing
Hong Kong made a key breakthrough in their total medal haul after adding four podium places in Incheon yesterday.
With three silver medals from karate, tenpin bowling and rugby, one bronze medal in the men's 4x100 metre relay, and two guaranteed from table tennis, they have won 42 medals, two more than the 40 they set in Guangzhou four years ago.
In the men's 4x100m relay, Hong Kong pulled off a major surprise by finishing third in a season-best 38.98 seconds. China won the gold in a new Asian record 37.99 seconds.
In karate, Lee Ka-wai was one step from a first-ever gold medal for his sport at the Asian Games, eventually losing to Saeid Hassanipour, of Iran, who won the men's under-75 kg final 2-0 at the Gyeyang Gymnasium.
Overall I am quite happy with my performance from the first match to the final, but a bit disappointed as I could not finish off the job
"Overall I am quite happy with my performance from the first match to the final, but a bit disappointed as I could not finish off the job," said Lee, who also won a bronze medal in Guangzhou four years ago.
"After winning a bronze at the last Games, I spent four years to try to win a gold in Incheon. But I must say the Iranian was very difficult to handle. Indeed, I lost to him 8-0 when we met in a tournament in Turkey last year. I have made progress against him this time but still it was not good enough."
