Korean weightlifter sets world record
INCHEON: North Korean weightlifter Om Yun Chol broke his own clean and jerk world record on the way to winning his country’s first gold medal of the Asian Games in Incheon on Saturday. Om, who won a gold medal at the London Olympics, raised 170 kilograms to better his old record by 1kg in the men’s 56kg class. He earlier lifted 128kg in the snatch for a combined total of 298kg.(Reuters )
Badminton squad left stranded as team bus driver goes missing
Incheon: The Indian badminton team, which had arrived at the Gyeyang Gymkhana far away from the Athletes Village early on Saturday, was left stranded after the conclusion of the women’s quarterfinals match against Thailand late in the night as the driver of the bus which was to ferry them back went missing. The entire team was waiting for the bus to leave at 10:50 pm local time but till half an hour later, the bus did not commence its journey putting the tired players and officials on tenterhooks. Some officials and star shuttler Saina Nehwal complained to the volunteer who was at this wits end and entreated him to solve the problem at the earliest as they had to reach the Athletes’ Village and then return tomorrow for their semifinal encounter against South Korea. One of the contingent officials was heard telling the Games volunteer that no food would be available if the team members reach the Athletes Village after midnight. Asked about the accommodation in the village, he complained that it fell short in terms of comforts like air-conditioning and there was ceiling fans also.(PTI )
Two Indian rowing teams in final
Incheon: Indian rowers produced a creditable performance on the opening day of competitions at the Asian Games with two teams making it to the finals here ton Saturday. The women’s pair team of Sanjukta Dung Dung qualified for the final despite finishing sixth in the heat number one by clocking 8:24.48 to cover a distance of 2000m at Chungju Tangeum Lake Rowing Center here. In lightweight men’s double sculls event, Roopendra Singh and Manjeet Singh finished second in heat number one with a timing of 6:44.51 over the 2000m distance to qualify for the final which will also be held on September 24. (PTI)
Palestinian ‘battle’ to get to Asiad
Incheon: The head of the Palestinian Olympic Committee told Saturday of the “battle” to get to the Asian Games just weeks after a brutal 50-day war in Gaza. Jibril Al Rajoub said that 37 sports officials and journalists had died in the beleaguered strip during the conflict between Israel and Hamas. “Our participation in Incheon is a national and political battle,” he said.”Even although the Palestinian people are living in circumstances that limit their movement inside Palestine and outside also, and financial difficulties we are facing, we were able to take part in this Asian Games with 80 sportsmen,” the official said.He praised the men’s football side which has won its first two games and sits top of its group.They have defeated Tajikistan and Oman, 2-1 and 2-0 respectively. (PTI)
