Hong Kong's Lee Sze-wing, Leung Bo-yee, Leung Wing-yee and Yang Qianyu compete in the women's team pursuit first round of cycling track event during the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, in China's eastern Zhejiang province, on Sept 26, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

Hong Kong road and track cyclist Yang Qianyu on Wednesday won a gold medal in the women’s road race, the first-ever medal in this event at the Asian Games for the city, and the seventh gold for the city at the Hangzhou Asian Games.

With Yang’s gold medal, plus the bronze medal won in the squash mixed doubles earlier the same day, Hong Kong has broken its record of 46 medals achieved at the last Asian Games, having now secured 47 medals – seven gold, 15 silver and 25 bronze at this Asian Games – and is poised to get more.

On the second day of the road cycling events at the Asiad, Hong Kong cyclists Lee Sze-wing and Yang Qianyu competed in the women's road race final. Yang defeated Na Ah-reum from South Korea in the intense race — but their distance apart was almost imperceptible, as they both recorded a time of 3 hours, 36 minutes, and 7 seconds.

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As Yang Qianyu from Hong Kong and Na Ah-reum from South Korea approached the finish line, with the peloton closing in from behind, both cyclists sprinted with all their strength. In the end, Yang crossed the finish line just under 1 second ahead of Na, securing the first-ever gold medal for Hong Kong in this event

The total distance of the race was 139.7 kilometers, and both Yang and Lee Sze-wing remained in the leading group throughout, competing closely with the peloton. In the final few kilometers, Yang and Na pulled slightly ahead of the peloton. As they approached the finish line, with the peloton closing in from behind, both cyclists sprinted with all their strength. In the end, Yang crossed the finish line just under 1 second ahead of Na, securing the first-ever gold medal for Hong Kong in this event, while Lee finished in eighth place.

“It feels like a dream. Winning this gold at the Asian Games, I will have no further regrets about my cycling career.” Yang said after the race, overwhelmed by tears of joy.

The Hong Kong cycling team has so far achieved one gold, three silver, and two bronze medals at the Asian Games. On Thursday, Lau Wan-yau, who won a bronze medal in the men’s individual time trial on Tuesday, will compete alongside his teammates Ko Siu-wai, Leung Chun-wing, and Leung Ka-yu in the men’s road race on Thursday, aiming for further success.

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Kevin Yeung, congratulated Yang on winning a gold medal in the road cycling.

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“Driven by her unyielding spirit, Yang Qianyu remained calm during the competition and gained victory. We are exhilarated and thrilled. The Hong Kong, China delegation has been attaining remarkable achievements. We fully support Hong Kong athletes to continue to strive for excellent results,” Yeung said.