Macau martial arts practitioner Li Yi won the gold medal in women’s Changquan at the Asian Games in Hangzhou yesterday, which is the first gold medal for Macau in the current Asiad.
Li Yi, who was runner-up in the previous two Asian Games, garnered 9.786 points, 0.03 points more than Hong Kong’s Liu Xuxu, and won the gold medal for the first time.
Li said that the gold medal could be the perfect end to her sporting career, as she has recently been affected by an old injury which makes her arm difficult to lift, according to local Chinese media reports. However, Li stressed, she was able to compete after treatment.
Li said she had been longing to experience what it was like to win a gold medal in the Asian Games, and she felt a lot of pressure and had difficulty sleeping. However, she finally overcame the difficulties, the reports said.
According to the reports, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng said in Hangzhou that he appreciated Macau athletes’ hard work and sacrifice, adding that the government has put a lot of effort in investing heavily in local athletes, and mentioned that the government will carry out the second phase of the Macau Athletes Training Centre this year to prepare for the 2025 National Games.
According to a statement by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) yesterday, Ho congratulated Li on winning the gold medal in the women’s changquan wushu event at the 19th Asian Games, expressing his joy at Li’s success and praising all Macau athletes for their excellent performance.
Li’s victory honours the Chinese athletes’ spirit, as well as the name of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR), Ho said, expressing his utmost respect, encouragement and sincere congratulations to Li, her coaching team, and the Macau delegation as a whole, for striving for excellence and outstanding results, the GCS statement said.
Ho added that he hoped the local athletes would continue to strive for peak performance at the Asian Games, maintain high morale and achieve further success, showcasing the spirit of ambition among the Macau delegation, the statement said.
By last night, Macau had won one gold and one bronze medal, both in wushu.
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng congratulates Li Yi on winning the gold medal in the women’s changquan wushu event at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou yesterday. – Photo: GCS
