Myanmar Secures First Gold Medal at Asian Games in China
Hangzhou, China – Amidst the turmoil in Myanmar, the country’s athletes achieved a significant milestone by winning their first medal at the Asian Games. The Myanmar team clinched the gold medal in men’s sepaktakraw, a regional sport commonly known as kick volleyball. The sport, played with only the feet, knees, head, and chest, drew similarities to traditional volleyball.
Since the military coup in February 2021, Myanmar has been plagued by violence and civil unrest. Mass protests against the military takeover led to fatal confrontations with security forces. The situation escalated into an armed conflict, described by UN experts as a civil war.
Amid this backdrop, Tun Thant Zin, a player from Myanmar, dedicated the gold medal “to our people back home.” He expressed the team’s unity and resilience, stating, “It has been very difficult for us to win, but our coaching staff and players have worked together and truly deserved this victory.”
Sepaktakraw, originating in rural Southeast Asia, has multiple countries claiming its creation. The name itself is a translation of “sepak,” which means kick in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, and “takraw,” the Thai word for the woven ball. The sport is renowned for its acrobatic moves, such as overhead kicks and somersaulting leaps to reach the net.
Myanmar emerged victorious against Indonesia in a two-set match, with scores of 21-13 and 24-22. Although Myanmar had previously lost to Indonesia, coach Aung Cho Myint revealed that they meticulously studied their opponent’s tactics, enabling them to secure the win. The Indonesian team graciously accepted the silver medal, acknowledging that both teams were evenly matched.
In the women’s sepaktakraw event, Indonesia initially took the lead against Vietnam but ended up falling short, resulting in a silver medal. Vietnam’s gold medalist, Thi Ngoc Huyen Nguyen, praised her team’s determination and resilience, especially while playing through injuries.
China Dominates Dragon Boat Races
Wenzhou, China – China showcased its dominance in regional sports by securing gold medals in both the men’s and women’s 200-meter dragon boat races. Dragon boat racing involves teams of 12 paddlers propelling long, narrow boats adorned with Chinese dragon heads and tails. The rhythmic rowing is guided by a drummer at the front and a steerer at the rear.
Incorporated into the Asian Games in 2010, dragon boat racing captivated spectators with its thrilling displays of teamwork and athleticism. The Chinese women’s team emerged victorious against Indonesia, while Thailand took home the bronze medal. In the men’s race, China triumphed over Thailand, with Indonesia securing the bronze.
China Leads Medal Tally at Asian Games
The host nation, China, has emerged as the frontrunner in the medal tally of the 19th Asian Games. With over 300 medals, more than half of which are gold, China surpasses its previous record of 287 medals in the last Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
As Day 11 of the 15-day event unfolded, China demonstrated its dominance, leaving South Korea and Japan trailing with significantly fewer medals. The Chinese team kicked off the day with a gold medal in the 35-kilometer mixed walking race, finishing more than 5 minutes ahead of Japan and over 34 minutes ahead of India, who secured the bronze medal.
Chinese athlete Wang Qin acknowledged the immense support from friends and family in the crowd, stating that their encouragement motivated him and his team to strive for excellence in the competition.
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