China set to become top sporting nation

Press, 30 November 1982, Page 38

China set to become top sporting nation

NZPA-Reuter New Delhi

China appears all set to wrest from Japan the mantle of Asia's top sporting nation with. only five days of competition left in the ninth Asian Games at New Delhi. The Chinese, who have displayed their prowess in almost all the 22 games events, have captured 48 gold medals, against Japan's 39, but Japanese wrestlers and swimmers may. yet turn the tables on their arch-rivals. After 10 days of hectic competition,./ the games organisers, have scheduled a rest day for most, of the events today. Only nine gold medals are at stake in swimming and weightlifting events. .

But the talking point of the

games is still the stunning victory .of a Malaysian policeman, Rabuan Pit, who sprinted to glory yesterday to become Asia’s fastest man.

Pit, who was running for the first time in the 100 metres dash in an international . competition, beat a crack field of eight with a time of 10.68 seconds.

Asia’s track queem Lydia de Vega, missed the chance of winning a double gold when she had to withdraw from the 200 metres -- her favourite event — because of a leg injury. De Vega, who won the 100 metres dash two days ago, was with the spectators yesterday. .sobbing quietly:. “I cried so much because the 200 metres, is my favourite

event," she said. Another memorable moment came in the gruelling 185 km cycle race in which a South Korean army sergeant. Park Se Ryong, beat Mongolia’s Ganbold Tsedendamba by a mere wheel.

Cycling along a course made hazardous by stray dogs and cows, the 23-year-old - Korean finished in four hours 30 minutes and 48.07 seconds, only 0.22 seconds ahead of Tsedendamba. The clash between the badminton giants. Indonesia and China, also gave , a thrilling climax to 10 days of com-, petition. The two nations were tied, 2-2, after four matches, but China managed to win the deciding singles arid take the gold.