Asian Winter Games glory continued for China as flag bearers Ning Zhongyan and Liu Mengting secured gold medals in speed skating and freestyle skiing. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s men’s ice hockey team bowed out after a tough quarter-final defeat to Kazakhstan.
Gold for Ning and Liu in Record-Breaking Performances
China’s Ning Zhongyan and Liu Mengting delivered gold medals within minutes of each other on Tuesday. Ning, 25, set a new Asian and competition record in the men’s 1000m speed skating event, finishing in 1 minute, 8.81 seconds. South Korea’s Cha Min-kyu and China’s Lian Ziwen took silver and bronze, respectively.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Liu Mengting led a Chinese clean sweep in the women’s freeski slopestyle. Her first run of 94.00 points remained the highest of the day, securing gold ahead of teammates Yang Ruyi (90.50) and Han Linshan (87.00).
Hong Kong’s Ice Hockey Journey Ends
Hong Kong’s men’s ice hockey team saw their tournament end after a 24-0 loss to Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals. The defeat came after an eventful few days, including an attack by Turkmenistan players following Hong Kong’s 5-1 victory on Sunday.
On Monday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu visited the team at the athletes’ village, expressing his support. The Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong praised the players for their composure during the post-game altercation.
Despite the quarter-final exit, Hong Kong’s last-eight finish was an improvement from the 2017 Games in Sapporo, where they placed ninth. They had dominated Group C, scoring 61 goals while conceding just two. However, a 6-5 loss to Kyrgyzstan in a quarter-final ranking match exposed vulnerabilities before facing the powerful Kazakhs.
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Kazakhstan Overpowers Hong Kong
Kazakhstan’s relentless attack was evident from the start at Harbin Ice Hockey Arena. They surged to an 8-0 lead in the first period, followed by seven more goals in the second and nine in the third. A total of 11 Kazakh players shared the 24 goals, underlining their dominance.
More Golds for China in Speed Skating and Skiing
China continued its winning streak in speed skating and freestyle skiing.
In the women’s 1000m speed skating, Han Mei claimed gold ahead of teammate Yin Qi and South Korea’s Lee Na-hyun. China also triumphed in the men’s team pursuit, with Liu Hanbin, Wu Yu, and Hanahati Muhamaiti securing gold, while South Korea and Japan took silver and bronze. The women’s team pursuit followed suit, with Yang Binyu, Ahenaer Adake, and Han Mei earning another gold for China.
In skiing, China continued to shine in the women’s aerials synchro final, where Feng Junxi and Wang Xue took gold. Teammates Chen Meiting and Xu Mengtao secured silver, adding to China’s impressive medal tally.
Hong Kong Struggles in Curling
Hong Kong faced a tough day in curling, losing 9-3 to China in the women’s round-robin stage. Later, they suffered another 9-2 defeat against Japan. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s men’s curling team secured a 10-2 victory over Qatar.
China’s Unstoppable Performance
With multiple gold medals in speed skating, freestyle skiing, and team events, China continues to dominate the Asian Winter Games. Meanwhile, despite their early exit, Hong Kong’s ice hockey team can take pride in their historic quarter-final appearance and unwavering sportsmanship.
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